People

Sam is originally from South Africa, where he qualified as a solicitor in 1983. Originally a prosecutor, he entered private practice in 1987, establishing his own firm near Cape Town in 1990. The firm, still carrying his name, continues to practise successfully.

Sam came to New Zealand in 1993, and to Te Kuiti in 1994, joining Wally Bain in partnership in 1996. One of two partners at the time of the firm being established, Sam is now the sole Principal.

Sam practices mainly in the areas of commercial law, company law, rural law, succession planning, trust law, Elder law, and conveyancing.

Outside of the office Sam enjoys involvement with Church Administration, participating in and watching sport, and spending as much time as possible with his wife Linda, daughter Amy, and her family.

Max was born in rural Taranaki, educated in Taranaki and Auckland and attended Auckland University. He practiced in Auckland 1964-1968, Thames 1968-1970, and Te Kuiti since 1970. Since that time, his practice has been based in Te Kuiti, and at times in Hamilton; for 15 years he was a Partner in Tompkins Wake with an office based in Te Kuiti.

Max specialises in rural law – particularly succession planning and trust administration for farming families. He is a trustee of many trusts and wills.

In recent years, Max has become a specialist in wind farming contracts. He acts for numbers of groups of landowners in the negotiation, and documentation of agreements with wind farm developers and companies. These clients are based in Auckland, Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Manawatu, the Wanganui regions, Otago, and Southland.

Max and his wife live on a rural property adjacent to Te Kuiti. His interests include sport; he is a Life Member of both the Waitete Rugby Club, and the King Country Rugby Union. He has held numbers of positions in education including Chairman of Primary and Secondary School Boards of Trustees. He was a member of both the Waikato Hospital Board (in the 1980s), the Crown Health Enterprise- Health Waikato Limited (in the 1990s), and then on the Board of Braemar Hospital Limited, and a Trustee (for five years as Chairman) of the Braemar Hospital Trust for 17 years.

He has also been involved in Law Society affairs. He was a member of the (now) Waikato Bay of Plenty District Law Society Council, was Vice President, and also a member of the New Zealand Law Society Council. He was also Chairman of the District Law Society Ethics Committee for a number of years.

In recent years, Max has been involved heavily in the reorganisation, and establishment of the Te Kuiti Historical Society and Museum. He is a Life Member.

Max is married to Carol, has two adult children, and six grandchildren.

Katie was born and raised in a small town in Alberta, Canada. She travelled to New Zealand in 2009, and met her (now) husband Wess. Katie completed her Law Degree with Honours in 2016, at the University of Waikato. She was admitted to the bar in August of 2016. Katie completed work experience at Lamb Bain Laubscher, before being employed by the firm in April 2016.

Katie’s main area of practice are commercial law, Elder law, and conveyancing.

Katie, Wess and their sons Braxton and Beaudon live on a farm near Piopio. Katie enjoys spending time on the farm with her family.

From left to right – Sue Pooley, Tania O’Keeffe, Johnnie-Lee McCarthy and Rhonda Davey (front).