Firm Profile

Origins

The firm was founded over 140 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 Williams, Sargent, Dale, Connal and 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 Connal Holmes & Godfrey. Doug Godfrey was joined by his brother Robert in 1960, and by Barry McNeil in 1969. 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 in 1986, taking over Doug Godfrey's practice. Brad McDonald became a partner in 2008, and Jerald retired at the end of 2009. During this time the firm was known as Godfrey Duncraft and French, and now of course simply as Godfreys. For many years the firm was located in old premises in Hereford Street. In 1964, we moved to Armagh Court. Sadly we were forced to leave our badly damaged building in Armagh Court as a result of the February 22 earthquake. We have now relocated to new premises in Washington Way off Moorhouse Avenue. Having been established so long, we have connections with many families and businesses. Some clients, we can track back three generations.

PHILIP SEWELL

Client focused solutions and speed of delivery are important features of Philip's practice. He has been in the law for over 20 years - some would say this is too long, but he considers that it gives him a breadth of experience which is more important than technical knowledge alone.

Too often procedural aspects of law practice can become obstacles to meeting client needs - but Philip thinks he has found a good balance. He likes the flexibility for clients (and for himself) that 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 sea kayaking and tramping.

Philip's practice is now an interesting mix of relationship property, asset protection, leasing, commercial and general conveyancing.You can contact Philip at philip@godfreys-law.co.nz or download his Vcard contact details.

Areas of Expertise

Asset Protection
Trusts
Ownership structures
Wills to match
Appropriate powers of attorney
Regular reviews and follow-up

Commercial
Business structuring and joint venturing
Trade documentation
Leasing
Financing

Family
Relationship property division
"Contracting out" agreements
back to top

Brad McDonald

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

He particularly enjoys 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 brings to Godfreys a colourful and interesting approach and has a wide variety of interests, which includes surfing, succulent collecting, tramping and red wine appreciation.

You can contact Brad at brad@godfreys-law.co.nz or download his Vcard contact details.

Areas of Expertise

Employment - Appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Law Society Employment Law Committee (Canterbury/Westland) 2011/2012.
Drafting and review of Employment Contracts
Dispute Resolution
Personal Grievance Claims and Defence of Claims
General Advice
Representation at Mediations, disciplinary hearings and the Employment Relations Authority
Business restructure advice

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

Conveyancing
Sale and purchase of residential properties
Refinancing
back to top

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 Relationship Property, Care of Children arrangements, Paternity and the list goes on. Judith also works in the Criminal Court undertaking defence assignments relating to prosecutions, including traffic prosecutions.

Judith enjoys her renovated holiday house at Hanmer Springs, reading, travel, film and theatre for relaxation.

You can contact Judith at judith@godfreys-law.co.nz or download her Vcard contact details.

Areas of Expertise

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

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

Court
Family Court matters
Criminal and Traffic matters
Harassment Act matters
All other Court related work
back to top

Julie Aitken

Julie has recently joined our firm. She brings a wealth of experience with her having being admitted to the Bar in 1989. Julie is formerly from Marlborough. As well as working in the law she has lectured and been involved with a family business. Julie particularly enjoys the personal interaction aspect of law and exceeding client expectations.

Outside of work Julie enjoys mountain biking and multisport. She has recently begun Kung Fu training

Her particular interests are:

Commercial Law

Relationship Property

Asset protection and family trusts

Property Law
back to top

Clare Miller

Clare is one of our solicitors and joined Godfreys in January 2009 after completing her law degree and Bachelor of Arts at Canterbury University. During her studies she was a youth worker at a local high school and an intern at a medium sized law firm in Christchurch.

Clare assists the Partners on a wide range of work including research, opinion writing, employment law, and estates. She recently has done great work assisting both residents and owners of Retirement Village units. She enjoys the daily challenges of the legal profession and enjoys working alongside a fantastic legal team.

Outside of work, Clare loves camping and tramping in New Zealand and most summers is found at the beach or river. In her free weekends she loves working in her vege garden (and trying to prevent her flatmates killing her vege garden).

You can contact Clare at clare@godfreys-law.co.nz or download her Vcard contact details.
back to top

Jacqui Wiltshire

Jacqui has worked in several other Christchurch law firms and brings a wide experience and knowledge to the firm. She joined Godfreys in August 2002. 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 in subdivisions and some experience in Wills. Jacqui has "led the charge" at Godfreys in the move to electronic registration of documents, which is an essential 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, purchases and refinancing.

Jacqui works from home Tuesdays and Thursdays but can be contacted via email or by calling the office.

Jacqui has been married for over 25 years and she and her husband enjoy overseas travel and going to the gym together and Jacqui also enjoys reading and completing puzzles (jigsaw, sudoku and crosswords).

You can contact Jacqui at jacqui@godfreys-law.co.nz or download her Vcard contact details.

Areas of Expertise

Residential Conveyancing
Sales and Purchases By:
Individuals
Companies
Trusts

Refinancing
For:
Individuals
Companies
Trusts

Subdivisions
E-dealing- Using the latest electronic technology to search titles
and register documents for same day results
back to top

Claire Linton

Claire joined Godfreys at the start of 2008 as a receptionist moving her way up to becoming a Legal Executive in mid - 2009. Claire is currently studying towards her Legal Executive Diploma qualification.

The main areas Claire works in are Residential Property, Refinancing and Trusts (including Gifting and Administration). Claire is also an all rounder who assists staff when needed.

Claire comes from a rural background where she grew up on a farm in Waimate. Outside work, she is a keen extreme sports fanatic, where she enjoys Motocross, Wakeboarding, Waterskiing, Snowboarding, Touch Rugby and Netball.

You can contact Claire at claire@godfreys-law.co.nz or download her Vcard contact details.
back to top

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 the law practice and has worked in law for over 10 years, with experience in Trust Account operations and with in-depth knowledge of the rules and regulations.

Paula is a member of the Canterbury Legal Administrators Group.

Away from work Paula has a special interest in her home and garden, walking and travel.

You can contact Paula at paula@godfreys-law.co.nz or download her Vcard contact details.
back to top

Rosemary Smith

Rosemary is our Word Processor/Backup Receptionist.

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

She has three grown up daughters and three grandchildren. They call her "Mr Mum" as she likes trying to fix things before getting in the experts. She loves animals and has a beautiful doll face Persian called Ollie. She also enjoys horse riding, rugby, fishing and swimming.

You can contact Rosemary at rosemary@godfreys-law.co.nz or download her Vcard contact details.
back to top