Firm Profile

·  Origins

·  Brad McDonald

·  Philip Sewell

·  Jerry French

·  Jacqui Wiltshire

·  Judith Walshe

·   Paula Lancaster

·   Katherine Patterson

·   Clare Miller

·  Rosemary Smith

·  Claire Linton

 

Origins

The firm was founded over 100 years ago in about 1870, by a sole practitioner called Henry Slater.

Slater was later joined in partnership by his son. In following years other partners included William, Sargent, Dale, GAG Connell and Noel Holmes. These men were all well known in Christchurch in their day.

In 1950 Doug Godfrey joined the firm, which then became known as Sargent Connell Holmes & Godfrey. In more recent times Doug Godfrey was joined by his brother Robert and by Barry McNeil. Robert Godfrey went on to become a magistrate in Sydney.

Recent History

Glenn Duncraft joined the firm in 1978, Jerald French in 1980 and Philip Sewell came to the firm in 1986, taking over Doug Godfrey's practice.

For many years the firm was located in old premises in Hereford Street. In 1964, we moved to the present site in Armagh Court.

Having been established so long, we have connections with many families and businesses. Some clients, we can track back three generations.

Brad McDonald

Brad has been with Godfreys for eight years and in that time has carved out a special place with a unique mix of business law, employment law and commercial. Brad has recently joined the firm in Partnership in 2008 after coming up through the ranks.

He particularly enjoys the employment law because he says he very quickly gets to understand business clients and how they think and operate. Like other areas of law it is meeting the people and understanding their business and their legal requirements, which is enjoyable for him.

Brad has a local reputation of "living on the beach", in one of the holiday homes at Taylors Mistake. He brings to Godfreys a colourful and interesting approach and has a wide variety of interests which includes surfing, succulent collecting and drinking red wine.

You can contact Brad at brad@godfreys-law.co.nz

Areas of interest/specialty

Specialises in Employment Law

  • Drafting and review of Employment Contracts
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Personal Grievance Claims and Defence
  • General Advice
  • Representation at Mediations, disciplinary hearings and the Employment Relations Authority
  • Business restructure advice

Commercial Law

  • Debt Recovery
  • Sale and Purchase of Business
  • Financing
  • Family Trust
  • Commercial lease work

Conveyancing

  • Sale and purchase of residential properties
  • Refinancing

PHILIP SEWELL

Philip has been with Godfreys for almost 20 years and has been involved in several of the developments of the firm including the move from the first computer (1989) to a situation common in most workplaces now (computer terminal on every desk).

His vision has been to remain a small firm able to respond quickly and efficiently to clients needs, rather than become overburdened with procedures and constraints, which effect consumers and professionals in larger firms.

Put another way, he likes the flexibility for clients (and for himself) which a firm like Godfreys provides. Outside of work, he is interested in mountain biking, though he spends more time talking about it than doing it; and is keen on passive water sports (small boat sailing and sea kayaking).

Philip's practice is an interesting mix of specialised Family Court work (as Court appointed Lawyer for the Child), asset protection, commercial and general conveyancing.

You can contact Philip at philip@godfreys-law.co.nz

Areas of special interest

  • Asset Protection
    • trusts
    • ownership structures
    • wills to match
    • appropriate powers of attorney
    • gifting programmes
    • regular reviews and follow-up
  • Commercial
    • business structuring and joint venturing
    • trade documentation
    • leasing
    • financing
  • Family Law
    • relationship property division
    • "contracting out" agreements
    • custody and access
    • on panel of Court-appointed Lawyer for Children

Jerry French

Jerry is well known for a unique combination of laid back style and close personal service, to long-term clients.

Jerry has over 30 years legal experience and has a wide and diverse group of very loyal clients, specialising in commercial work, property transactions and estates and trusts. He is able to offer an overall perspective, which he has gained from acting for individuals and their families for many years.

Work is a place that Jerry goes to in between holidays and when he is not involved in one of his many sporting interests. His next sporting ambition is to run in the London marathon but we will wait and see!

You can contact Jerry at jerry@godfreys-law.co.nz

Areas of interest/specialty

Commercial Law

  • Sale and Purchase of Businesses
  • Financing
  • Leasing

Conveyancing

  • Sale and purchase of residential properties
  • Refinancing

Asset Protection

  • Trusts
  • Various ownership structures
  • Powers of Attorney

Estates

  • Administration and wills

Relationship Property disputes

 

Jacqui Wiltshire

Jacqui has worked in several other Christchurch law firms and brings a wide experience and knowledge to the firm. Jacqui is a registered Legal Executive and is also a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives Inc.

 

She works mainly in residential property and refinancing - but also has expertise concerning wills and estates and subdivisions.

Jacqui has "led the charge" at Godfreys in the move to electronic registration of documents, which is a feature of a modern conveyancing practice.

She is the person who is often behind the scenes and "makes things happen" on client files for sales and purchases

In her spare time, Jacqui enjoys walking and overseas travel.

You can contact Jacqui at jacqui@godfreys-law.co.nz

 

Areas of interest/specialty

Residential Conveyancing

  • Sales
  • Purchases, includes purchases by
    • People
    • Companies
    • Trusts
  • Refinancing For
    • Individuals
    • Companies
    • Trusts

Using latest electronic technology to search titles and register documents (e-dealing) for same day results

Also experienced in

  • Company Incorporations on-line
  • PPSR - Search and Registration

Judith Walshe

Judith comes to law as a third career, following bringing up a family (four children) and also as a secondary teacher. Like many others, returning to University as an adult student was a challenge but Judith rates highly, the fact that she obtained her degree and has established a busy family law practice.

Judith's work covers all aspects of family law from Child Support, Adoption, Contact arrangements (formerly called Access), Paternity and the list goes on.

One of Judith's recent projects away from the office, has been the purchase and renovation of a holiday home which she now retreats to for weekend breaks.

You can contact Judith at judith@godfreys-law.co.nz

Specialises in Court work including Family Law and Criminal cases.

She can assist with cases about:

  • Relationship Property
  • Separation
  • Parenting Disputes
  • Access to/contact with your children
  • Hague Convention cases
  • Paternity
  • Adoption
  • All decisions regarding children

In the criminal and traffic jurisdictions:

  • Defending police charges
  • Guilty pleas with submissions in mitigation
  • Traffic matters, for example drink driving, careless use of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and other traffic matters
  • Obtaining Limited Licences (work licences)

Judith can also assist with disputes in the Civil Jurisdiction, for example obtaining Judgment for unpaid debts, Harassment Act matters and all other Court related work.

Paula Lancaster

Issues concerning client's money are supervised by Paula who is Office Manager and Trust Accountant. She has extensive experience on this side of law practice and worked into that position from starting in another local law firm.

Away from work Paula has a special interest in her home and garden and says she has over one hundred different roses in her garden.

You can contact Paula at paula@godfreys-law.co.nz

 

 

 

Katherine Patterson

Katherine is one of our Staff solicitors and has been with us for almost two years. 

Katherine assists the Partners with commercial work.  She is presently developing her skills in the arena of Intellectual property law and provides advice on this specialized area to the firms clients.

She is also presently training to become a duty solicitor at the District Court.  When required she also provides back up support for our family lawyers. 

Away from work Katherine has a keen interest in fashion, having previous involvement with the Wearable Arts show in Nelson.

You can contact Katherine at katherine@godfreys-law.co.nz

 

Clare Miller

Clare joined us at the start of 2009 as a Staff solicitor.  Clare was recently admitted to the Bar after completing her legal studies at the University of Canterbury.

Clare is assisting the Partners with a broad spectrum or work including, research and opinion writing, conveyancing, estate work and employment law.

You can contact Clare at clare@godfreys-law.co.nz

 

 

Rosemary Smith

Rosemary is our Word Processor/Backup Receptionist.

 

Rosemary comes to us after having worked for many years at Land Information New Zealand.

You can contact Rosemary at rosemary@godfreys-law.co.nz

 

 

Claire Linton

Claire is our Receptionist/Junior Typist.

 

In her spare time she is a competitive motocross rider.

If you phone Godfreys or call at the office, you will be greeted by Claire.

You can contact Claire at reception@godfreys-law.co.nz

 

 

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