Simpson Western

We are pleased to welcome Nina MacDonald to the Simpson Western team!

Nina has joined our Family and Relationships team as a Law Clerk. She recently graduated from the University of Otago and after completing her professional legal studies ealier this year, is looking forward to being admitted later next month.

Originally from Christchurch, Nina is quickly settling into Auckland life and is looking forward to developing her legal skills in the family and relationships space.

Welcome to the team!

Applications are now open for our 2026/2027 summer clerk programme!

Our summer clerk programme is an opportunity for law students to be part of our team and experience what it is really like to work at Simpson Western. Over your summer with us, you will have the opportunity to spend time working within a number of our service areas and be an important part of the team.

Our programme is open to law students in their penultimate year. To find out more or apply for a position, please visit: https://www.simpsonwestern.co.nz/careers/

Applications close on Friday 19 June.

We’re excited to announce the promotion of four exceptional members of the Simpson Western team!

Ashleigh Watt and Ellen Snedden have been promoted to Principal.

Ashleigh joined us in 2019 and has built a diverse practice including private wealth, estate planning, elder law and asset protection advising on high value and complex private client matters. She now manages Simpson Western's estate administration practice and is an associate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Ellen also joined in 2019 and is a leading expert in all family law matters, particularly those involving children, family violence and complex disputes arising under the PPPR Act regarding capacity and disputes between attorneys. Ellen has been on The Law Association Family Law Committee for many years, whereby she actively contributes to CPD planning, events and making positive change for the profession.

Louise Fryer and Sam Wood have been promoted to Senior Solicitor.

Louise joined us in 2025 and has over 13 years’ experience as a Legal Executive. She was admitted in July 2025 and support’s Simpson Western’s commercial property team on complex leasing and development work.

Sam began his career at Simpson Western as a graduate, working in the Litigation and Property teams. After undertaking further post-graduate study in Urban Planning and gaining experience at other firms, he recently returned to join our litigation team.

We are pleased to recognise their expertise, dedication and contribution to our firm and congratulate them of their well deserved achievements!

When someone acts as a trustee of a family trust, they often take on liabilities associated with the trust. Those liabilities generally include obligations to the trust’s lender (such as a bank) or other creditors. Can they be held personally responsible?

Click the link for more INSIGHTS on a trustee's responsibility, and more at Simpson Western.

www.simpsonwestern.co.nz/insights

Last week we said farewell to our 2025/26 summer clerks!

It has been fantastic having you with us over the summer. Thank you for your hard work, enthusiasm and the fresh energy you brought to the firm. We look forward to seeing where your careers take you!

If you are a law student in your penultimate year of university, we will be opening applications for our 2026/27 summer programme in May. Please keep an eye on our website for updates.

Major changes are coming to New Zealand’s planning and environmental laws. The replacement of the Resource Management Act 1991 signals a decisive shift in approach.

For more than three decades, the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) has shaped how New Zealand uses land, builds homes and infrastructure, and protects its natural environment. It has been one of the country’s most influential, and controversial, pieces of legislation.

Now, the RMA is on its way out, set to be replaced by an entirely new resource management system that the government has described as a ‘once-in-a-generation’ reform.

Head to our Insights page in the link below for what you need to know, why it matters and what it could mean for you.

https://www.simpsonwestern.co.nz/insight/resource-management-act/

Last week we welcomed our 2025/26 Summer Clerks, Bella, Danielle, James and Blake to the firm!

Over the coming weeks, they will rotate around our practice areas and gain an insight into the 'day in the life' of a working lawyer. In learning from our experienced and highly knowledgeable team, we hope the experience will help them to determine what direction they wish to take their future legal careers in.

Welcome to the Simpson Western team!

Thinking about separation or divorce?

Associate Gabby Stone, from our Relationship Property team has written “Your Most Common Separation and Divorce Questions – Answered” to guide you through the process.

This article covers everything from how to separate, property division, child care arrangements, and your rights to support in New Zealand. If you need expert advice, our team is here to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Read Gabby’s article for practical answers and compassionate support on our website.

https://www.simpsonwestern.co.nz/insight/your-most-common-separation-and-divorce-questions-answered/

It is with pleasure we welcome Stephanie Evans to the Simpson Western team.

Stephanie joins the Trusts and Estates team as Associate, bringing with her a broad range of experience including residential conveyancing, estates administration and relationship property, as well as dealing with overseas and high-net-worth clients. This background has given Stephanie a well-rounded understanding of the issues that can arise within private client matters.

Welcome to the SW family!

You would have heard recently, that a group of four Uber drivers who successfully claimed status as employees in both the Employment Court and Court of Appeal; have now also had that status upheld by the Supreme Court. The Court unanimously dismissed Uber's appeal against the earlier decisions, confirming the drivers were employees, not independent contractors.
Our employment law expert Bridget Wood was invited to discuss the implications of the recent decision, with RNZ The Panel's Wallace Chapman. Visit the link to the episode below to listen, at 15:17.

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1278-the-panel-31125602/