

OUR TEAM
Mark Deacon
Mark is a Balclutha-based consultant. He has worked in South Otago for over 25 years, having joined the firm in 1999.
Consultant

Kerry Dowling
Kerry is our Milton-based Director. Originally from Ranfurly, he has worked in South Otago since 2004, joining the firm in 2008 and entering into partnership in 2013.
Director

Jared St Clair-Newman
Jared is our Dunedin-based Director. He joined our team in 2020 after practising in Dunedin for the last 10 years. He specialises in private and commercial property transactions. He is a born and bred Dunedinite with strong ties to the district. He is available for appointments in our Dunedin, Milton and Balclutha offices.
Director

Shona Squires
Shona is an experienced Solicitor, based primarily in our Milton office, who completed a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Otago in 2021. Shona has worked within the legal industry for most of her career, including as a Practice Manager, Registered Legal Executive and Legal Administrator, both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Advising on a wide range of property and personal client matters (including Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Trusts), Shona is available for appointments in Dunedin, Milton and Balclutha.
Associate

Louise Thomas
Louise is a Balclutha-based Registered Legal Executive. She joined the Balclutha team in 2014 and has a background in banking.
Registered Legal Executive

Dale Allison
Dale is a legal secretary in our Milton office, having joined the firm in 1987.
Legal Secretary

Tracy Coulter
Tracy is our receptionist/legal assistant in the Milton office, having joined the Milton team in 2019.
Receptionist and Legal Assistant

Mel Taggart
Melanie (Mel) is our Balclutha-based trust accountant. She joined the team in 2021 and has a background in banking and administration.
Trust Accountant

Liz Simmonds
Liz joined our Balclutha team in 2024 as a legal executive.
Legal Executive

Hannah Hogg
Hannah is a legal assistant in our Balclutha office and joined the firm in 2025.
Legal Assistant
