I graduated with an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) in December 1980 from the University of Otago and was admitted to the Bar in December 1980.
I have engaged in litigation work since April 1981. Initially I was part of a small litigation department in a firm of solicitors in Napier for three years, then moved to Hamilton and joined O'Neill Allen & Parker in 1984, again in litigation. I was primarily engaged in a wide range of court work, but moved predominately into civil litigation soon after joining the firm.I became a partner in O'Neill Allen & Parker in October 1985 and remained a principal of that firm for 10 years.I left O'Neill Allen & Parker and became a barrister sole in October 1995.
I am now engaged in a wide raging variety of civil and commercial litigation which has taken me the length and breadth of New Zealand
Personal
Born in 1957 in Hamilton.
My father was a lawyer.
I was educated locally and went to Otago University and graduated from there in 1980 and was admitted to the Bar in 1980.
I worked for three years in Napier and then moved back to Hamilton and took up a position with my father's firm in 1984. I was made a partner of that firm in 1985.
I was married in 1983 and had two children from that marriage (both boys).
I left the firm in 1995 and went out as a barrister sole.
I have since remarried and have two more boys.
My personal pursuits are collecting wine, art, playing golf,snow skiing and motor sport. Motor sport is a recent pursuit, but is something I have been interested in for a number of years. I race in Targa rallies, the biggest of which is the Dunlop Targa held at Labour Weekend every year and is a 5 day event. I have completed 3 Dunlop targa rallies with some shorter rallies at different times of the year.
My car is a Honda Civic which has been repowered with a more powerful motor recently and I completed the 2008 Dunlop Targa recently with no breakdowns (which is a feat in itself).
