Lani Middleton
Director / Lawyer
History
I am a South Africa and New Zealand qualified lawyer. I commenced my legal career after graduating in 2006, initially in private practice, but thereafter as criminal defence lawyer for Legal Aid.
After my initial grounding in litigation and since moving to New Zealand in 2012, I concentrated on establishing a commercial and conveyancing client base. My areas of practice include business and commercial transactions, commercial and residential conveyancing, wills and enduring powers of attorney.
I have a life outside of work too! As well as being a mum and stepmum to four very active and cool teenage boys, I am committed to work in the community (I am currently on the board of trustees for the Hornby Day Care Centre). My interests include CrossFit, weight training, swimming, hiking, kayaking, gardening, music and spending leisure time with my family. I am a proud Kiwi and All Black supporter!
Helena Austen
Senior Associate
History
Helena brings her wholistic approach to practicing law to our clients. Her specialty is explaining and preparing Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Trusts to our clients. She also assists Lani in relation to residential and commercial conveyancing. Helena uses easy-to-understand language without legal jargon.
Her background as a commercial and corporate lawyer means that she will look at all your affairs to make sure that documents are prepared in a way that fit your unique circumstances.
She emigrated from South Africa in 2019 so if you need her to explain the documents in Afrikaans, she is more than happy to do so.
In her free time, if Helena does not spend time with friends and family, you will find her tramping the beautiful trails around Christchurch or find her with her nose in a book.
Ilona Nel
Legal Executive
History
With an extensive 28 years of experience in property law in South Africa and an additional 8 years specializing in property and trust law in New Zealand, Ilona brings a wealth of expertise to our team. She is known for a meticulous attention to detail and an exceptional organizational ability, which ensures that every aspect of property transactions is handled with the utmost precision.
A proven team player, she thrives in collaborative environments but is equally skilled at working independently and proactively to achieve optimal outcomes for clients. Ilona’s commitment to excellence and deep understanding of both South African and New Zealand property law makes her an invaluable asset to our firm, ensuring that all legal matters are handled efficiently and effectively. This blend of experience and diligence ensures that clients receive informed, efficient, and reliable legal support throughout their property journey. In her free time, she enjoys camping, walking, and cycling in New Zealand’s beautiful nature.
