Team

Michael might have jet fuel for blood. With five decades of aircraft in his life, he could have been a pilot. Based on his handwriting, Michael could have been a doctor. He’s not a doctor or a pilot, so you might say he flies a desk. And if bikes could fly, he’d fly one of those too. Just like the famous cyclist, a Belgian called Eddy Merckx, Michael loves biking. He has a lot of active wear in his wardrobe. Michael has a real interest in aviation law but would consider himself a general practitioner, focussing mainly in the property and commercial realms of the law.

Important Fact
Michael wishes he’d bought tickets to REM and Neil Diamond in Melbourne.

 

Master educator, turned master lawyer. Dineen’s career started at the chalkboard, graduating first with an education degree. Dineen believes a great work ethic is the backbone of law. She has a passion for walking and rowing, a sport requiring the wakeup ethic of an early morning radio host. Luckily, this has given her a high tolerance for getting ready in the dark. Dineen’s specialty is all things family; however, because she comes from a general practice background, she has interests in other practice areas as well. Dineen is a current Family Law Section representative and is a Court appointed Lawyer for Child and Lawyer for Subject Person.

Important Fact
Dineen has a passionate dislike for brussel sprouts.

Sophie is the newest (and arguably the wittiest) addition to our legal team. Sophie adds a dash of Gen Z banter and a youthful perspective to the sometimes mundane aspect of legal practice.   While Sophie hails from Rotorua, she is now enjoying all that Taupo has to offer, especially with her love of tramping.  Despite her concerns about the office “chocolate policy” (a block a day keeps the stresses away), she does try to keep us balanced by providing fruit.  Sophie comes from a large diverse family with 13 grandparents!  Needless to say, she has lots of first hand experience when it comes to dealing with a wide variety of family issues.  When Sophie’s not in the office you can find her getting lost in a good book or on an overnight amble in the back country. Sophie specialises in most areas of family law.

Important Fact
Sophie collects knives. The prize of her collection is a Svord Bowie knife. Is that good for cutting chocolate??!

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Janine is one of two in the office that hales from the North Shore, Auckland. Whilst she may have grown up in Auckland, she is considered a Tauporian! Janine has travelled extensively and now that her two children have left the coup, she has her sights on more travel in the future. You can find Janine walking along the lakefront most days, often surrounded by a group of ducks who have adopted her (not that the duck seed has anything to do with it). There’s not too much that hasn’t passed Janine’s desk. As a very experienced senior legal executive, she has seen it all. Janine’s focus is firmly on the complex end of the hard stuff in the conveyancing and commercial legal areas.

Important Fact
Janine is a liquorice allsort connoisseur.

Michelle is all about living her best life. For the last 9 years she has been living in the beautiful Kinloch (with her partner Gary), with a golf course for a backyard, great cycling tracks close by to boot, and the grandies to spoil just down the road, it’s all a girl, such as Michelle, could ever ask for! Whilst Michelle comes from a career in banking, she is now enjoying the diverse challenge that only law can bring. Michelle’s main task is to make sure that the Grantham Law team is happy and that everyone has everything they need to perform to their best. No easy feat and on occasion Michelle has resorted to donuts!

Important Fact
Michelle would have been a detective in another life.