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
- trusts
- ownership structures
- wills to match
- appropriate powers of
attorney
- gifting programmes
- regular reviews and
follow-up
- business structuring and
joint venturing
- trade documentation
- leasing
- financing
- 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
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
- 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.
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
