Ron Backhouse - Partner Ron joined McKinnon & Co in 1977, becoming a Partner in the firm the following year. He specialises in Property and Business Law, Estate Planning and Family Trusts, offering his extensive knowledge in these areas to a wide range of clients including corporate entities and businesses. He maintains an active involvement in community sports, including a past Presidency of the Hamilton Golf Club and a role as legal advisor to the Waikato Racing Club. Ron is responsible for the Trust and Estate team.
Paul Barris - Partner Paul joined McKinnon & Co as a Partner in 1985 and specialises in Property and Business Law including farm conveyancing, estate and trust law. With deep roots in Waikato dairying, Paul is keenly interested in working with regional farmers on the sale and purchase of farms, stock and refinancing options. His work in Business Law also sees him actively involved with small businesses, in the areas of restructuring, refinancing and leasing of premises in particular. He also has a wide range of community sporting interests, including rugby, golf and fishing. Paul is responsible for the Commercial Business team.
Martin Bradley - Partner Martin joined Norris Ward McKinnon in 1991, having worked previously in Auckland, and became a Partner in 1998. His main areas of interest and experience are Family Litigation, Civil Litigation and Sports Law. Martin received the Davies-Sproule Memorial Prize as the Top Family Law Student at Auckland University, and he currently serves as a member of a Court Appointed panel of counsel, routinely representing children in parenting, and care and protection cases. Martin is also involved in the negotiation of sports contracts both in New Zealand and abroad. A former active sportsman, Martin has represented Auckland at first class level in cricket and age grade rugby. Martin is now a Director of Waikato RFU and Chairman of Grassroots Trust. Martin is responsible for the Family team.
Geoff McDonald - Partner Geoff joined Norris Ward in 1985 and is a specialist in the broad field of Commercial Law. His speciality breakdown areas are Company Law, Commercial Contracts, Banking, Mortgagee Sales, Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency, Receivership and Liquidation. Geoff has an active community involvement, and is honorary solicitor to many organisations including Enterprise Hamilton, Plunket, and Opera Waikato. He is also a trustee of the Waikato Heart Foundation and the Waikato Medical Research Foundation. Geoff is responsible for the Commercial Corporate team.
Gillian Spry - Partner Gillian joined Norris Ward in 1993. With a wealth of experience in all aspects of general litigation, employment law and people management she has a particular interest in analysing your business to ensure that your employment practices reflect your strategic direction and needs. She is currently completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management at Waikato University, and has much practical experience of governance and management issues. She has wide experience representing clients in all common Court forums and actively works towards alternate dispute resolution whenever this would be beneficial for clients. Gillian is leader of the Dispute Resolution and Employment teams.
Dan Moore - Partner Dan joined Norris Ward McKinnon in 2000 and became a Partner in 2008. Dan specialises in Commercial Law with a wealth of experience in all aspects including corporate governance, facilities management, leasing and information technology. Working predominantly with large commercial companies, Dan believes strongly in taking a proactive approach to meeting clients' needs and providing practical solutions to complex legal issues. Dan works closely with Partner Geoff McDonald, leader of the Commercial Corporate team.
Carmen Simmonds - Practice Manager Carmen joined Norris Ward McKinnon in September 2006 as Human Resources Manager, introducing her human resources knowledge to the Firm’s clients by establishing an HR consulting service alongside the current Employment Law team. Carmen was appointed as the Firm’s Practice Manager in June 2008, and continues her focus on human resources within this role. Carmen is currently studying towards an Executive MBA through the University of Waikato and is a member of the Human Resource Institute of New Zealand.
