My areas of Expertise

Specialist Practice Areas

Industry Expertise

What I like about my work

I particularly like the area of employment law, as it involves a mixture of academic theory and practical solutions in real situations. Every case is different, which helps to keep the work very interesting.

What I’ve done in the past

I have a varied background and came to the legal profession relatively late. I started working in the 1960’s in marketing for a USA-based pharmaceutical company for 5 years. I then worked as a Manager for a book importing business, before becoming Manager of the University Book Shop in Dunedin for a further 6 years.

During the next 15 years, I worked as a professional actor, mainly as a presenter for "Playschool" but also in Theatre, Film and TV drama. Towards the end of that period, I also taught Marketing at the Polytechnic and it was at this time that I became interested in the law. I started studying part-time purely for interest, but before long I was studying seriously full-time. For much of the time I tutored students in Contract law, a subject that I still teach today. After graduating, I joined Anderson Lloyd and became a Partner in 2001.

My approach to working with my clients

Having been manager of a business and president of the actor's union at the same time, I have a practical approach to employment work - one focused on solving problems by understanding what the law is, and identifying the practical solutions which can be achieved within that framework.

It is important to understand the law, but it is equally important to be able to use that understanding to create workable solutions. If both parties can agree on a solution, which of them is legally "in the right" is of academic interest only.

One of my major clients calls from time to time to say that he needs another “cunning plan” to resolve an employment problem.

The law alone doesn’t always provide workable solutions, particularly in employment matters, where the ability to formulate a practical outcome, which will work for both the employer and the employee, is required.

What I enjoy at work

Anderson Lloyd is the only law firm that I have worked for. We have a good mix of people who get on with the job, and who are intelligent but friendly and down to earth. I like the fact that our workplace culture endorses lifestyle balance.

What I enjoy outside of work

I am a keen fencer and have been since I was at school. Over the years, I have held various provincial titles, and now belong to a club where experienced fencers can just enjoy the sport without worrying about winning.  I also race my classic Fod Escort and enjoy skiing.

I am still loyal to my theatrical roots and usually appear in a play or a musical once a year (I’m a real fan of Gilbert and Sullivan).

What I enjoy about living in the South Island

Here in the South Island, people tend to have a more balanced approach to work and the other important things in life. The scenery of Central Otago is stunning and readily accessible. I am a South Islander by conversion and should have returned to Auckland at the end of my time with the University Book Shop, but we decided to stay in Dunedin. It seems to me that if we had gone back, I would now be spending most of my time sitting in a traffic jam!