Our People
Principals
Bruce K. Logan LL.B.
Bruce is the latest in a line of legal Logans who have served the interests of the people of the Wairarapa for many years (see Our History).
Although brought up in the farming district of Longbush, having grandfathers and uncles on both sides of the family with law degrees, it was not surprising that Bruce should follow in their footsteps. Equally, it was not surprising, given his rural upbringing, that Bruce should develop an empathy for the farming clients of his firm, and a close understanding of their concerns and interests.
In addition to his strong interest in farming transactions, Bruce’s expertise extends to family trusts, succession planning, wills and estate administration, commercial property and business transactions, and forestry joint ventures.
Working in a team structure has always appealed. Bruce is proud of the cohesive approach that Logan Gold Walsh people take in their client dealings. Bruce also enjoys working with other specialists, such as accountants and farm advisors, in major transactions.
Bruce is keen to see the firm continue and consolidate its position as one of the top law firms in the Wairarapa. Fundamental to this is the firm’s highly experienced and supportive staff and its rapidly developing younger lawyers.
Emerging from the demands and interests of a teenage family and a heavy workload, Bruce is starting to find extra time to add golf and travel to his long time interests of swimming, surfing, skiing and gardening.
Contact Bruce
Phone: (06) 370 6474
Email: bruce@lgwlawyers.co.nz
Bruce’s secretary: Trudy Carrig
Email: trudy@lgwlawyers.co.nz
Brett Gould
Brett left Auckland after completing his law degree to as a lawyer work in New Plymouth and play rugby for Taranaki.
His intended stay there was extended by marriage and family.
He spent 2005 – 2009 in Queenstown and has returned to Masterton after completing a locum with the firm Gold Walsh for John Gold when he went to the World Cup in 1991.
Brett is experienced in business and company law, property and trusts.
He has a strong farming practice and specialises in farm syndication (in which he has presented at NZLS seminars) and he currently acts for the largest farm syndicator in New Zealand and regularly received other instruction in this area.
In addition to his legal qualifications Brett has an MBA (with Distinction) from Massey University, is a trained and Qualified Panel member with AMINZ and is also a panel Conciliator for Sharemilking Disputes.
Brett's interest list includes forestry, sports law, golf, tennis, swimming, multi-sport, cycling, duck shooting, whitebaiting, wine, travel, reading and family - all of which he plans to partake and share in while living in the Wairarapa.
Contact Brett
Phone: (06) 370 6475
Email: brett@lgwlawyers.co.nz
Brett’s secretary: Diane Wright
Email: diane@lgwlawyers.co.nz
Philip J. Walsh B.A. (Hons), LL.B., Notary Public
In late 2008, Phil Walsh retired from the practice due to ill-health. An experienced and respected member of the legal profession, Phil had developed a large and loyal client base during his 24 years as a lawyer in the Wairarapa. His main practice areas were those areas for which the firm is widely recognised, namely rural and urban property law, commercial law, trusts and succession planning, and estate administration.
Phil's clients are encouraged to contact Brett Gould or any of the other lawyers in the firm at any time discuss their ongoing legal requirements.
Consultants
John R. Monk LL.B., Dip CM.
John has had a long and varied career in Law. He was in practice in Lower Hutt from 1968 to 1988, a corporate lawyer and company secretary with Trustbank New Zealand from 1990 to 1996, and a contracted lawyer to Westpac following the assimilation of Trustbank from 1997 to 2003.
From 2004 John undertook locum work in Masterton, in addition to his own private work, and in that role helped out at Gold Walsh from 2006. John is now very much part of the fabric of the merged firm Logan Gold Walsh.
Much of John’s work is in the same general areas that Bruce and Brett practise. His background in the banking sphere gives Logan Gold Walsh considerable specialised experience to draw on in the commercial and business areas, including Securities Law. John’s completion of a Diploma of Corporate Management in 1990 gave him further insights in the field of Corporate Governance, Corporate Strategy, Corporate Finance and Human Resources. Many of John’s clients have found this combination of law and business to be very helpful.
Although John was looking to semi-retirement he has found that Logan Gold Walsh offers such a great working environment that he is spending rather more time at the office than he had planned. He enjoys the collegiality and flexibility that the firm offers.
John has been resident in the Wairarapa since 1995. He spends much of his spare time on his lifestyle block and enjoys tennis.
Contact John
Phone: (06) 370 6480
Email: jmonk@lgwlawyers.co.nz
John’s secretary: Sandy Harrison
Email: sandy@lgwlawyers.co.nz
John Gold LL.B.
John started his legal career back in 1967 (See Our History). Over the years he had built up a very large and loyal client following in the Wairarapa and many other parts of New Zealand. His long-time interest in horse racing and golf had brought him in contact with a wide cross section of people.
Sadly John passed away on 26th August 2009.
John's clients are welcome to get in touch with any of our staff for any legal requirements they might have.
Associates
Kathryn A. Williams B.Mus., LL.B.
A graduate of Victoria University, Kathryn’s school education started at Hadlow Prep School and finished at Wanganui Collegiate.
She studied law and music at Victoria University, and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Music in History and Literature. Kathryn also has an LTCL from the Trinity College of London in performance violin.
Kathryn joined the firm in early 2007 and was made an associate in 2009. Before that she taught English in Japanese schools from 2003 to 2006.
Although Kathryn’s particular areas of interest are in Property matters of all types, Relationship Property Agreements and Franchising, Kathryn mainly specialises in the area of Elder Law, focusing on wills, estates, enduring Powers of Attorney and Occupation Right Agreements.
Logan Gold Walsh offers Kathryn a superb supportive environment in which to develop and hone her legal skills. She is continually reminded of the broad knowledge base that the people at Logan Gold Walsh have and are prepared to share with her. Logan Gold Walsh is a great firm and I hope to be a part of its continuing success in the future, says Kathryn.
Kathryn plays the violin for various orchestras around the Wairarapa, including for MATS productions. She also enjoys snowboarding, and outdoor activities that go with living in the Wairarapa area.
Kathryn is the honorary solicitor for the Marist Rugby Club and also supports a wide variety of local charities, including the Wairarapa Community Hospice and Plunket.
Contact Kathryn
Phone: (06) 370 6480
Email: kathryn@lgwlawyers.co.nz
Kathryn’s secretary: Rebecca Upward
Email: rebecca@lgwlawyers.co.nz
Julie L. Olds B.A., LL.B.
Another graduate of Victoria University, Julie joined Logan Gold Walsh in June 2008 having previously worked in a Masterton practice and in 2007/2008 commuted from her Wairarapa home to the well-regarded Lower Hutt law firm, Gibson Sheat.
Logan Gold Walsh is pleased to have someone of her calibre to help with its heavy work load. Julie’s main areas of practice are Property Law of all types and Relationship Property. Julie enjoys the technical aspects of residential property development projects including subdivisions, and the creation of trust and business structures for clients. Logan Gold Walsh offers her plenty of opportunity to help clients achieve their goals.
Meeting new people from different walks of life is literally a motivator for Julie. She is the current Club Captain of the Masterton Tramping Club. She is an avid outdoors type enjoying, in particular, tramping, cycling and mountaineering. Julie’s contributions to the community include membership of Wairarapa Search and Rescue and Masterton Rotary Club.
Contact Julie
Phone: (06) 370 6478
Email: julie@lgwlawyers.co.nz
Julie’s secretary: Rebecca Upward
Email: rebecca@lgwlawyers.co.nz
Staff Solicitor
Tim Grooby B.A LLB
A graduate from the University of Canterbury, Tim joined Logan Gold Walsh in February 2010. Tim is a born and bred Cantabrian, but in spite of this has been warmly welcomed by the principals and staff of Logan Gold Walsh.
Tim is enjoying learning from the experienced people at Logan Gold Walsh, and is looking forward to developing his expertise in a wide range of areas. He also feels privileged to have the experience of the members of the Logan Gold Walsh to support him in developing as a Solicitor.
Since his arrival Tim has involved himself in the culture of the Wairarapa. He has joined the Masterton Golf Club and is playing for one of the local rugby teams. He is eager to meet and work with the clients of Logan Gold Walsh.
Contact Tim
Phone: 06 370 6480
Email: tim@lgwlawyers.co.nz
Estates Manager
Vicki Lackner
Vicki was with Logan Blathwayt (See Our History) for 11 years and has been with the new firm since its inception. A massive task involved with the establishment of the new firm was the merging of the two old firms’ Trust Accounts from four banks into one. This was a challenging project, the successful implementation of which gave Vicki a lot of satisfaction.
Vicki has been involved in a variety of office management roles. She has been responsible for running the firm’s Trust Account and overseeing general management matters, but has now passed over much of this work to Melissa Pauling. This is allowing Vicki more time to pursue her latest challenge, Estate Administration, which she thoroughly enjoys. She is also looking forward to completing her studies for the Legal Executive qualification.
The culture of the new firm is the same as it was at Logan Blathwayt. The partners genuinely and demonstrably appreciate their employees and encourage and empower them, says Vicki. The high standards they set seem naturally to flow through to the way everyone wants to work at Logan Gold Walsh.
Vicki’s enthusiasm for her work and the people at Logan Gold Walsh is only matched by her love of Thoroughbred Racing. She rides early each morning for a local trainer. She also dabbles in the breeding of Black Pekin Bantams, and gardening.
Perhaps it’s not surprising that Vicki’s outstanding goal, to complete her house renovations, may be a little way away.
Contact Vicki
Phone: (06) 370 6472
Email: vicki@lgwlawyers.co.nz
Office Manager
Melissa Pauling
Born and raised in Masterton, Melissa started her career working on reception for a local law firm before moving into the accounts department, an area she really enjoyed. In 2004 she moved to London where she worked for 15 months in the accounts department of Clifford Chance, which was then the largest law firm in the world.
When she returned to New Zealand, Melissa worked in the purchasing area of a government department in Wellington before joining Logan Gold Walsh in early 2007. She was initially responsible for the trust account but started to take on more and more office account duties as Vicki started to show an interest in estate administration. In April 2010 she was promoted to office manager.
Melissa has recently completed her Diploma in Business, which she studied by correspondence while working full time. Although she now has a lot more spare time, she finds it is quickly taken up with doing the accounts for the building company owned by Melissa and her husband, planning the build of their new house and keeping fit.
