The CWLA’s affairs are managed by a committee and governed by its Constitution. The committee members work on an unpaid basis and welcome the input of all members into the running of the CWLA.
Convenor
Madeleine is a legal counsel at Ryman Healthcare, advising on a wide range of commercial matters. With previous experience in Christchurch firms, Madeleine has advised clients on matters including commercial, property, retirement villages and trusts. Before joining the legal profession, Madeleine worked in the insurance industry, specialising in corporate and liability matters. This experience has given her a unique perspective on the challenges faced by businesses and the importance of effective risk management. Madeleine is approachable and always willing to lend a helping hand, having a strong passion for problem solving.
Madeleine takes pride in being on the CWLA committee and is delighted to foster the development and networking opportunities of female lawyers in Canterbury.
Tahlia is a solicitor in Malley & Co Lawyers’ Dispute Resolution Team and assists in resolving a range of civil disputes and court related matters. In particular, Tahlia specialises in relationship property matters, applications under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 (including review of power of attorney decisions and the appointment of welfare guardians and property managers), trust claims and estate claims.
Tahlia enjoys being part of a strong committee of women that promotes and supports other women within the Canterbury legal profession. She is particularly passionate about helping graduates build connections within the legal industry.
Secretary
Joyce is a senior solicitor at Duncan Cotterill, she works in the commercial property team specialising in commercial leasing. Joyce graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2016 with a double degree in LLB and BA, majoring in Art History, and worked at a small general practice firm where she developed her interest in the world of property law.
Joyce is proud to be a part of the CWLA and enjoys continuing the CWLA’s work of promoting and supporting women across the legal profession.
Angela owns Infinity Intellectual Property Limited and is a patent attorney registered in New Zealand and Australia, an Australian registered trade mark attorney and a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Angela has about 25 years experience in the IP world - particularly in trade marks and branding. This includes advising clients as to their ability to use and register a trade mark, applying to register the mark in New Zealand and overseas, and contentious matters such as oppositions, applications for revocation and declarations of invalidity. Angela also has first hand knowledge of Australian trade mark law and practice having worked in a top IP firm in Sydney for 4 years.
Natasha is a associate at Mortlock McCormack Law. Natasha advises across the full spectrum of commercial, commercial property, corporate and relationship property matters. She graduated from the University of Otago in 2015 with a double degree in Law and Science, majoring in Psychology. Natasha is passionate about supporting and assisting women in the legal workforce, and is excited to be a part of the CWLA for another year.
Ellie is a Senior Associate at Buddle Findlay, working in the litigation team. She graduated from Canterbury University in 2017 and has worked in Christchurch since. Ellie is passionate about supporting women through the many and varied seasons of their legal careers. She joined the CWLA committee in 2020 and is extremely proud to be part of an organisation providing so many fantastic events, learning opportunities, and aid initiatives to our Canterbury legal professionals.
Nicola is a partner at Duncan Cotterill, within its Christchurch office, leading its immigration practice. She graduated from the Canterbury University Law School in 2000 and has specialised immigration law since 2001. Nicola headed up a corporate immigration practice in London for almost nine years, before returning to Christchurch in 2009 where she has practised, ever since.
Nicola is a member of the CWLA committee and is immensely proud to be involved in an organisation that supports the already high calibre of female legal professionals, in Canterbury.
Nicola is a member of the CWLA committee and is immensely proud to be involved in an organisation that supports the already high calibre of female legal professionals, in Canterbury.
Anna joined Rhodes & Co as an undergraduate in 2010 and later graduated as the top law student at Canterbury University. She was admitted in 2014 and worked at the firm for 3 years before taking up a scholarship at the University of Cambridge to complete her Master of Law, which she was awarded with a First. Anna worked in dispute resolution at global firm Herbert Smith Freehills in Melbourne before returning to Rhodes & Co in late 2020.
Anna provides advice on a breadth of contentious and non-contentious issues. She has experience as counsel in District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court proceedings. Anna also assists clients with a variety of corporate and private matters including capital raising and corporate structure, land transactions, agri-business, relationship property, and trusts and estates.
Outside of the office, Anna is a keen long-distance runner and skier.
Grace is a senior solicitor at Argyle Welsh Finnigan. Grace advises on a range of matters including employment, commercial and residential property, relationship property and trusts.
As a member of the CWLA committee, Grace is passionate about support women in the legal workforce and being a part of the organisation.
Lana is a senior associate at Greenwood Roche and specialises in commercial property, and banking and finance law. She graduated from the University of Canterbury in 2012 and has since practiced in North Canterbury, Queenstown and Ōtautahi. Lana has been involved in a number of projects for the rebuild and regeneration of Ōtautahi, and has been seconded twice as corporate counsel to a Crown-owned entity focused on the rebuild, and more recently as senior advisor to an organisation driving aerospace innovation and whenua rejuvenation in Aotearoa.
Lana is grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside female lawyers in Canterbury and to assist in building a valuable support network.
Rabiah is a Senior Associate at Cavell Leitch leading their immigration practice with a strong background in human rights advocacy. Her legal career spans across both New Zealand and Australia, where she has worked as a Solicitor at a well-known migration law firm in Melbourne, and she has recently located back to her home town of Christchurch.
Rabiah is passionate about social justice, human rights and refugee and asylum seeker issues that exist in contemporary society today. Prior to her career as a lawyer, Rabiah worked as an Immigration Officer with the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment for over 6 years in New Zealand, where she was born and raised. This experience solidified her dedication to making a difference in the field of immigration.
Rabiah is a Committee Member on the NZLS Immigration & Refugee Law Committee, and she is looking forward to making a positive contribution to CWLA focussing on empowering women in the legal profession.
Maddy is an Associate at Godfreys Law advising across a range of private client matters including residential property, trusts, elder law, estate planning and estate administration.
Maddy graduated from the University of Canterbury in June 2019 with a Bachelor of Law. After initially relocating to Gisborne to start a graduate position and gain experience in residential property, Maddy joined Godfreys law in March 2022. This has enabled her to work in a smaller firm, gaining the opportunity to advance her interests in Life Law and build experience in a variety of areas.
Maddy is a new member of the CWLA committee and is excited to be involved in an organisation that supports female legal professionals. She is looking forward to planning events to assist in the development of her colleagues and build a wider business network.
