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Asset Planning & Elder Law

Our dedicated Elder Law Team works will work with you to protect your hard-earned assets and put complex financial and legal issues behind you, allowing you to enjoy life, and live every day with the knowledge that you, your partner, and your family have the asset protection they need.

What We Do

Rest Home and Retirement Village Contracts
Asset Protection Advice

Estate planning
Preparation of Enduring Powers of Attorney

Meet Us

Charles Wilkinson

Director

Scott Grieve

Director

Linda Wilkinson

Director

Adam Thame

Director

Stephanie George

Director

John Middleton

Consultant

Ciaran King

Associate

Andrew Bright

Associate

Bayley Roylance

Associate

Leanne Young

Estates Manager

Charles Wilkinson

DIRECTOR | charlesw@connectlegal.co.nz

A Taranaki boy born and bred, Charles is coming up to 40 years practising law and still gets a huge buzz out of helping clients. He’s a problem solver so helping people with issues such as structuring and finance, commercial and residential property transactions, business acquisitions and mergers, estate planning, trust law and relationship property is what he does best

Charles loves getting out into the community. As Chair of the WOMAD NZ Charitable Trust, the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust, and Taranaki Gardens Festival Trust he gets to be involved with some of Taranaki and New Zealand’s biggest festivals and events and help make the place we live an even better one. Charles also loves being in the outdoors in the garden and whenever he can, heading off on fishing charters throughout New Zealand with a group of likeminded mates.

Scott Grieve

DIRECTOR | scottg@connectlegal.co.nz

Having grown up on a small farm in Te Awamutu, Scott has always enjoyed rural provincial New Zealand. After attending Southwell School, Hamilton and Kings College, Auckland – where he excelled in sports (captaining the First IV and rowing in the First VIII) – he attended Canterbury University graduating with a BA (History) LLB in 1996. Scott completed a Certificate of Proficiency in Environmental Law, Masters Level, Auckland University while working as a lawyer for the Northland Conservancy, Department of Conservation.

Scott enjoys working with clients from all walks of life and always strives to get the best results he can for them. He mostly practices commercial/property law and environmental/resource management law – and is proud to provide services for all his clients, including Taranaki Cricket Association Incorporated and the Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU).

Still a keen sportsman, he enjoys the outdoors and all that Taranaki and New Zealand have to offer – such as diving, fishing, skiing, surfing, mountain biking and tramping. Scott enjoys spending time with friends and family. Being married with three children he is passionate about New Zealand’s future and the environment, people, communities, and future generations of this country.

Linda Wilkinson

DIRECTOR | lindaw@connectlegal.co.nz

Linda is an experienced legal practitioner known for her work in trust and estate law as well as residential and commercial property sales and purchases.  Known for her pragmatic approach to the law, Linda understands the solution is often about helping people to find common ground. Linda has a particular interest in asset protection, wills and estate planning, and is highly skilled in elder law and retirement village purchases.

Linda also represents clients needing support with complicated and difficult estate claims and administration. Her sensible and practical advice has seen many a client through sad and anxious times.

Linda holds a New Zealander of the Year Local Hero award for her extensive community work in the arts and is Chair of Alzheimers Taranaki. She is the solicitor for a varied number of local charitable organisations.

Linda is the mother of three adult children, and enjoys the arts, reading, walking on the beach and socialising with family and friends.

Adam Thame

DIRECTOR | adamt@connectlegal.co.nz

Having grown up in Oakura and raised on a beach and surfing diet, it was only natural for Adam to return to Taranaki following completion of his law degree at Waikato University in 2009.

Adam practices as a general commercial lawyer with his focus areas being, rural, residential and commercial conveyancing, sale and purchase of business, financing, trusts and estate planning.

Outside of work Adam still tries to hit the waves while juggling the demands of a young family.

Stephanie George

DIRECTOR | stephanieg@connectlegal.co.nz

After five years at Otago University as well as undertaking a successful volunteer programme at the Community Law Centre, Stephanie is excited to be back in New Plymouth.

As a friendly and relaxed professional Stephanie enjoys building relationships with clients and guiding them through any unfamiliar territory. Working in the commercial and property team Stephanie is able to assist with a range of matters including commercial and residential property transactions, leases, refinancing, estate planning and trust law. 

Outside of work you can find Stephanie making the most of the Taranaki coastline, socialising with friends and family and attempting the occasional run. 

John Middleton

CONSULTANT | johnm@connectlegal.co.nz

John lives in New Plymouth with his wife Eileen and has two grown up daughters.

John is extremely proud of the region and helping with the legal aspect of important issues surrounding Taranaki like farming, education and retirement villages. After more than 40 years in practice he’s well versed in the art of property and commercial law.

Giving back is important to John as he’s the current Secretary of the New Plymouth West Rotary Club, a Trustee of Access Radio Taranaki and past Chair and current member of the Mission College New Plymouth Trust Board and past chair Scared Heart Girls’ College board of trustees.

Kept extremely busy in his spare time, John’s interests include running, cycling the many New Zealand cycle trails, gardening and spending time at the New Plymouth Bridge Club.

Ciaran King

ASSOCIATE | ciarank@connectlegal.co.nz

Born and raised in Taranaki, Ciaran was pleased to return to New Plymouth after completing his legal studies in Wellington. 

Ciaran’s practice is focused on property and commercial matters and enjoys working with clients on a range of property and commercial transactions including sale and purchase of residential or commercial property, buying or selling businesses, leases and refinancing as well as assisting clients with wills, enduring powers of attorney, trusts and estates.

When he is not in the office Ciaran devotes a lot of time to his sporting pursuits playing both hockey and golf. On top of playing he gives his time to coaching hockey at Francis Douglas Memorial College and his club Northern United where he is also the Chair. Ciaran enjoys the comradery and social side of team sports as much as the competition and when he is away from the field or fairway Ciaran enjoys sharing a nice wine or a cold beer with family and friends.

Andrew Bright

ASSOCIATE | andrewb@connectlegal.co.nz

After being admitted to the bar in Wellington in 2018 and studying at the University of Waikato for four years, Andrew was excited to move to New Plymouth to grow his career. Taranaki and being close to the coast reminds Andrew of Gisborne, where Andrew was born and raised.

Andrew is continually exceeding client expectations, he is dedicated to delivering exceptional legal services to all of his clients. His clients’ first approach reflects the corporate ethos of the company. Working in the commercial and property team Andrew is able to assist with a range of matters including commercial and residential property transactions, leases, refinancing, estate planning, trust law, wills and EPA and advising on company matters, joint ventures, partnership structures and terms of trade.

Andrew has a young family and believes New Plymouth is a great place to raise his family. He also enjoys exploring Taranaki with them and finds the region offers such an abundance of leisure and lifestyle adventures. Andrew is a member of the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Frankley Social Fundraising Committee.

Bayley Roylance

ASSOCIATE | bayleyr@connectlegal.co.nz

After four years working as a Research Assistant and Chief District Court Judge’s Clerk in Wellington, Bayley returned home to the Taranaki region in 2018.

Bayley works alongside both Scott Grieve and the family law team. This means she can advise on commercial and property matters as well as family matters. Bayley is able to draw on her knowledge of other areas of law to take a holistic approach if needed and can offer a wide range of support to her clients.

Being back in New Plymouth has given Bayley the opportunity to work professionally in a region that is connected to her roots. She has been able to re-engage with the local theatre community and undertake her studies in te Reo Māori in a local context. Most recently, Bayley was appointed a trustee board member of the Taranaki Kiwi Trust and is supporting the trust in its mission to help the Taranaki kiwi population go “from rare to everywhere”, improving our local environment.

Leanne Young

ESTATES MANAGER | LEGAL EXECUTIVE
leanney@connectlegal.co.nz

Leanne grew up in Hawke’s Bay where she began her legal career before moving to New Plymouth in 2004 and joining the team in 2014.

Navigating the complex affairs of someone who has died can be a daunting task but Leanne’s empathetic, compassionate and considerate approach will ensure that the process is easily understood. Along with the administration of estates Leanne has an active knowledge of wills, enduring powers of attorney, trusts and occupation right agreements. Leanne also has experience in residential conveyancing and carries out sales and purchases for her clients. She takes pride in ensuring that her clients’ affairs are in order before they die by taking a holistic approach to providing solutions that work for them and to make sure their wishes are carried out. She enjoys having a job that allows her to help people and she does this with compassion, consideration and a can-do attitude that her clients appreciate.

Leanne is a Registered Legal Executive and a Fellow member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives with over 20 years’ experience.

Leanne is a past President of the Rotary Club of New Plymouth North and in her spare time enjoys visiting art galleries and exploring the country, either by motorcycle or bicycle, gardening and playing bridge.

Address

Powderham Chambers
136-138 Powderham Street
New Plymouth

Contact

info@connectlegal.co.nz
06 769 8080
0800 733 837
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