Convenor

Madeleine is a solicitor at Synlait Milk, advising on a wide range of commercial matters.  With previous experience in Christchurch firms, Madeleine has advised clients on matters including commercial, property, retirement villages and trusts.  Before joining the legal profession, Madeleine worked in the insurance industry, specialising in corporate and liability matters.  This experience has given her a unique perspective on the challenges faced by businesses and the importance of effective risk management. Madeleine is approachable and always willing to lend a helping hand, having a strong passion for problem solving.

Madeleine takes pride in being on the CWLA committee and is delighted to foster the development and networking opportunities of female lawyers in Canterbury.

Treasurer

Chantal is a Partner at Malley & Co, with experience in the banking, finance, property, commercial, trust, asset planning and retirement village sectors. Having gained experience in various sectors of the law, Chantal is able to think through a range of aspects that may arise during the course of a transaction or as a consequence of a transaction. Chantal obtained her law degree from the University of South Africa and has been admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand.  Chantal is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Chantal is excited and proud to be part of an organisation that promotes and supports women in the legal workforce.

Secretary

Joyce started her legal career at Godfreys Law in 2018. After meeting Partner Brad McDonald who was also volunteering at a Community Law session, she decided she wanted to work at a firm that was actually walking the talk and giving back to the community.

While originally from Christchurch, Joyce studied Law and a BA in French and Art History in Wellington. She jumped at the chance to study even further afield, spending a year at Groningen University in the Netherlands.

Working in a smaller law firm has given Joyce the opportunity to build her practice across a number of legal areas, including property conveyancing and relationship property.

Outside of work, Joyce’s time is split between her energetic puppy Rodger, and outdoor adventure sports like mountain biking, skiing, and running half-marathons she hasn’t trained for.

Courtney is a senior associate in the national Dispute Resolution team at Wynn Williams. She works primarily in the area of family law, including matters relating to relationship property, domestic violence, care of children and estate disputes.

Courtney has extensive experience in the Family Court as well as resolving matters by way of mediation and out of court settlement. She regularly appears as lead counsel and as Lawyer to Assist, appointed on behalf of the Family Court. Her experience in family law also includes Oranga Tamariki proceedings, guardianship disputes, such as relocations, and drafting contracting out (prenup) agreements. She is well known for the empathetic manner in which she guides her clients through often highly stressful and emotional times.

Courtney is also experienced in criminal law. She has acted on a number of serious charges, with optimum resolution, and has appeared as lead counsel at various sentencing hearings and successfully applied for discharges without conviction and limited licences. Courtney has also appeared as junior counsel in jury trials.

Natasha is a associate at Mortlock McCormack Law. Natasha advises across the full spectrum of commercial, commercial property, corporate and relationship property matters. She graduated from the University of Otago in 2015 with a double degree in Law and Science, majoring in Psychology. Natasha is passionate about supporting and assisting women in the legal workforce, and is excited to be a part of the CWLA for another year.

Nicola is a partner at Duncan Cotterill, within its Christchurch office, leading its immigration practice. She graduated from the Canterbury University Law School in 2000 and has specialised immigration law since 2001. Nicola headed up a corporate immigration practice in the City of London for almost nine years, before returning to Christchurch in 2009 where she has practised, ever since. Nicola is new member of the CWLA committee and is immensely proud to be involved in an organisation that supports the already high calibre of female legal professionals, in Canterbury.

Eleanor is a senior solicitor at Buddle Findlay. She works in the litigation team advising on a range of matters including insurance, dispute resolution, commercial law, employment and health and safety. Eleanor graduated from the University of Canterbury in 2017. Eleanor enjoys being part of the Canterbury legal community and, as a new committee member of the CWLA, is looking forward to supporting women in the legal workforce.

Angela owns Infinity Intellectual Property Ltd and is a patent attorney registered in New Zealand and Australia, an Australian registered trade mark attorney and a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Angela has about 25 years experience in the IP world - particularly in trade marks and branding. This includes advising clients as to their ability to use and register a trade mark, applying to register the mark in New Zealand and overseas, and contentious matters such as oppositions, applications for revocation and declarations of invalidity. Angela also has first hand knowledge of Australian trade mark law and practice having worked in a top IP firm in Sydney for 4 years.

Lana is a senior associate at Greenwood Roche who specialises in commercial property, and banking and finance law.  She graduated from the University of Canterbury in 2012 and has since practiced in North Canterbury, Queenstown and Christchurch.  Lana has been involved in a number of projects for the rebuild and regeneration of Christchurch and has twice been seconded to a Crown-owned entity focused on the rebuild.

Lana is grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside female lawyers in Canterbury and to assist in building a valuable support network.

Grace is a solicitor at MDS Law, having recently returned to the law from parental leave. Grace advises on a range of matters including employment, commercial and residential property, relationship property and trusts.

As a new member of the CWLA committee Grace is excited to support women in the legal workforce and be a part of the organisation.

Tahlia is a member of Malley & Co Lawyers Dispute Resolution Team and assists with resolving a range of civil and commercial disputes.  Tahlia joined Malley & Co Lawyers in November 2022 after graduating from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha (the University of Canterbury) with a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Criminal Justice, and Certificate of Arts in Te Reo Māori. 

Tahlia is excited to be part of a strong committee of women which promotes and supports other women within the Canterbury legal profession.  She is also particularly excited to help other graduates build connections within the legal industry.

Anna joined Rhodes & Co as an undergraduate in 2010 and later graduated as the top law student at Canterbury University. She was admitted in 2014 and worked at the firm for 3 years before taking up a scholarship at the University of Cambridge to complete her Master of Law, which she was awarded with a First. Anna worked in dispute resolution at global firm Herbert Smith Freehills in Melbourne before returning to Rhodes & Co in late 2020.

Anna provides advice on a breadth of contentious and non-contentious issues. She has experience as counsel in District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court proceedings. Anna also assists clients with a variety of corporate and private matters including capital raising and corporate structure, land transactions, agri-business, relationship property, and trusts and estates.

Outside of the office, Anna is a keen long-distance runner and skier.