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Property/Sales & Purchases

Whether you are buying, selling, leasing, subdividing or building on land, we can advise on your rights as a purchaser, vendor, tenant or landlord and offer advice that allows you to make correct informed decisions. We are also able to advise on the most appropriate ownership structure for your property and can assist with forming family trusts, limited liability companies, or other legal entities.


What We Do

Residential sale and purchase
Structure advice regarding land ownership
First home matters, including kiwisaver withdrawal and homestart grants
Refinancing


< Maori Land Law
Resource Management >

Charles Wilkinson

Director

Tim Coleman

Director

Bridget Burke

Director

Scott Grieve

Director

Linda Wilkinson

Director

Scott Chamberlain

Director

Eleanor Connole

Director

Adam Thame

Director

Stephanie George

Director

Ciaran King

Associate

Andrew Bright

Associate

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.


Tim Coleman

DIRECTOR | timc@connectlegal.co.nz

Tim grew up in New Plymouth and attended Spotswood College before heading to Otago University to complete a degree in law and a science degree in physiology and psychology. 

Tim works with a number of Taranaki’s leading businesses in the areas of contracts, acquisitions, corporate structures and finance. Tim also has an extensive property law practice including house sales and purchases, landlord and tenant issues, land subdivision and property development. Tim is also highly regarded in the areas of trust law, wills and estate administration. 

Giving back to the community is important to Tim. Throughout his entire career he has been an active and committed volunteer for many organisations including: Hospice Taranaki, Spotswood College Alumni Trustee, FC Western Football Club, Shorinji Kempo Martial Arts, New Plymouth Golf Club, Central Primary School, as well as a range of pro bono work as a solicitor for many community organisations.  In 2019 Tim received a New Zealander of the Year Local Hero Award for his years of service to the Taranaki community.

Outside of the law and his extensive community work, Tim enjoys many sports and outdoor activities.

Bridget Burke

DIRECTOR | bridgetb@connectlegal.co.nz

Bridget grew up in Taranaki and has enjoyed belonging to a community focused family which is a value that carries through to her practice of family law. 

Bridget is experienced in a range of family law matters including the structuring and division of relationship property at all stages of a relationship and the protection of separate property through contracting out agreements; the care and guardianship of children and child support matters; domestic violence and sexual abuse and the care and of protection of children with the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki.  As a senior Lawyer for Child, Bridget is often appointed by the Court to represent or assist children who are subject of court proceedings. She receives appointments to represent subject persons pursuant to the Personal and Property Rights Act 1988.

Bridget has actively served on many local and national committees: New Plymouth Emergency Shelter Board, New Plymouth Basketball Association, the New Zealand Law Society’s Family Law Section Executive Committee, Francis Douglas College School Board, and is a current trustee of the Taranaki Foundation and Chairperson of the registered charity, Horses Helping Humans, established for youth at risk in Taranaki. 

Bridget is committed to helping clients get the best possible results recognising that relationships and family matters can be complex and more often than not emotionally charged. Bridget strives to be an excellent listener, insightful advisor and effective advocate.   Away from work Bridget enjoys spending time with her family and friends, health and wellbeing pursuits, keeping fit, cooking and entertaining, travelling, sport and the arts. 

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.

Scott Chamberlain

DIRECTOR | scottc@connectlegal.co.nz

Scott comes from Christchurch, via Wellington where he started his legal practice in a corporate firm. Scott moved to New Plymouth in 2009 and enjoys the lifestyle Taranaki has to offer. He climbs mountains and is involved in alpine rescue, he rides mountain bikes and is still chasing the 20lb snapper.

General commercial advice, contracting, acquisitions, business financing and securities, business purchases, sales and asset planning are his areas of expertise. As someone who thrives on solving problems and working through complex situations, Scott gets a lot of enjoyment out of grappling with clients’ worries and turning them into positive results.

Scott also assists clients with all their property needs from buying and selling residential property, to the other end of the spectrum dealing with large commercial property transactions, leasing, syndication structures and commercial property portfolio management.

Eleanor Connole

DIRECTOR | eleanorc@connectlegal.co.nz

Eleanor specialises in dispute resolution and general practice, and spends time in court dealing with litigation (civil, criminal and employment) and family court matters. She is an approved Lawyer for Child. She can also assist with general practice matters, including wills, asset protection and buying and selling property.

Outside of work Eleanor is a keen musician and does her best to keep up with the vigorous activity levels of her husband and two children.

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. 

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.

"...the service that we received from Andrew has been outstanding. Nothing has been too much trouble - correspondence, and where necessary meetings, have always been dealt with in a timely fashion, and the guidance that we have received has been of the highest quality. He is a credit to your chambers." Terry Heaps - Citizens Advice Bureau New Plymouth


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.

COMMUNITY
Citizens Advice Bureau - Member | Frankley School Social Fundraising Committee - Member

Address

Powderham Chambers
136-138 Powderham Street
New Plymouth

Contact

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