Aaron Foley
Principal
Aaron acquired Halliwells in 2023 and brings a background in commercial management and legal practise.
Aaron has worked in general litigation, commercial and property law for a number of prominent firms in Auckland including as head of practice for two firms.
Aaron has a BA from Victoria University and completed his law degree at the University of Auckland.
Preston Bulfin
Consultant
Preston joined the firm in 1967 and holds a master of laws from Canterbury University as well as a graduate diploma in applied finance and investment from the Securities Institute of Australia. Preston is also a fellow of the Securities Institute of Australasia.
Preston has extensive experience in commercial, company and property law as well as financial and lending transactions and Māori land issues.
Samantha Bills
Senior Associate
Samantha joined the firm in 2023 from a prominent Manawatū firm.
She brings a wealth of experience in employment law, relationship property and family law, debt collection, dispute resolution and civil litigation.
Samantha graduated from Otago University with degrees in law and commerce.
Samantha is a current director of NZ Young Farmers.
Sarah Malone
Lawyer
Sarah joined Halliwells in 2023 having started her legal career at another prominent Taranaki law firm.
She graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with degrees in law, history and criminology.
Sarah specialises in family law and prides herself on her compassionate approach to working with families and their children during challenging times.
Regan Gilmour
Law Clerk
Regan joined Halliwells in 2023, having recently graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with degrees in law and arts.
Regan joins the firm as a Law Clerk, pending his admission to the bar, likely in July 2023, at which point he will become a lawyer.
Beth Low
Legal Executive
Beth is our most experienced legal executive. She is a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives – the membership of which comprises only the most senior and able registered legal executives.
Beth has special expertise in the areas of Māori land law and rural property law.
Beth has a lifetime interest in swimming and is involved with Hāwera Swimming Club and Taranaki Swimming Centre and teaches at all levels.
Jenna Dombroski
Legal Executive
Jenna is Hāwera born-and-bred and has been at Halliwells since December 2005.
Jenna qualified as a legal executive in 2011 and is an associate member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives. She is an accomplished staff member with an aptitude for a variety of legal proceedings with significant expertise in property law.
Jenna is a keen sports-person who regularly plays netball and tennis, runs and cycles.
Nadia Kennett
Legal Executive
Nadia grew up in Hāwera and has worked in the legal field since leaving school in 2011. She began as a legal secretary, achieving legal executive qualifications in 2018 and is an affiliate of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.
Nadia brings a wealth of skills to our conveyancing team.
Nadia enjoys time at home with her husband and young son.
Tanya Wishnowsky
Legal Executive
Tanya is Hāwera born-and-bred. After a period of living and working overseas, Tanya returned to Hāwera to raise a family. Tanya resumed her legal career after a working at Hāwera Hospital for 16 years to contribute to our busy practice.
Tanya is an affiliate member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.
Tanya enjoys time with her family, knitting and craft, and travel.
Ānahera Tamahori
Legal Executive
Ānahera joins Halliwells following the incorporation of Auckland-based mobile law firm “Just Lawyers” where she was the practice manager.
Ānahera is an affiliate member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives and is currently studying to gain a law degree.
Prior to commencing her legal career, Ānahera worked in various senior sales management roles.
Samantha Turner
Estates Manager
Samantha started with Halliwells in 1999 and has been estates manager for over a decade.
Prior to managing estates, Samantha was the administration manager for Halliwells’ nominee mortgage company.
Samantha is a passionate member of Hāwera Repertory and is an accomplished stage actor and director.
Judy Schroder
Estates Administrator
Judy first started with Halliwells in 1996 running our estates department. After some years she working in other fields, she retuned in 2023.
Judy is a keen tennis player and involved in multiple community groups including the Hāwera Memorial Theatre Trust and the Cinema Trust.
Alex Baylis
Law Clerk
Alex joined Halliwells in September 2019 as an office junior to assist with the changing environment and increasing work the firm is involved with.
Alex contributes to a range of legal support work and is currently studying to become a legal executive.
Alex is a keen photographer and is refining her skills in Photoshop.
Lilian Mutsaers
Practice Manager
Lilian joined Halliwells in September 2017 in a fixed term position and quickly progressed into a wider administration role.
Lilian is now our practice manager and has a wide range of responsibilities.
Lilian has many years of experience in clothing production and tertiary education – now turning her extensive skills to legal practice administration and management.
Lilian enjoys creating with fabric, is a keen gardener and lives in Kaponga.
Rachel Lyon
Receptionist
Rachel is the person you are most likely to speak with when you call us or come to the main Hāwera office – her friendly nature and willingness to help make her the perfect front person for the firm.
Mavis Burkitt
Trust Account Manager
Mavis has a long history with the firm having worked for us for several decades. Mavis is an expert in all matters relating to management of our trust account and a well respected member of our team.
