Susie Tait, LLB/BA
Director
P: 03 366 2332
M: 021 261 6666
F: 03 366 3143
E: susie@layburn.co.nz
Member of New Zealand Law Society, Canterbury District Law Society, Auckland District Law Society and Family Law Section
I am a committee member organising the NZLS Canterbury-Westland branch 150th celebrations in October 2018. I have also been a Canterbury Westland branch family law committee member since 2016.
LAW
I want to change the way people think about lawyers. As your legal advisor I think of myself as a driving instructor. While I provide oversight, legal guidance and work hard for you, my ultimate goal is to empower you to act independently. I respect that it is your personal matter that you trust me with - I will keep you ‘in the loop’ every step of the way, with regular contact, using everyday language.
I am a family lawyer assisting with the difficult issues at the beginning or end of a relationship - negotiating “pre nuptial agreements”, dividing assets and debts of the relationship, assisting with care arrangements for children, or providing advice on separation and dissolving marriages. In more complex matters I often provide advice regarding family trusts, companies, partnerships, farms and transferring property.
I am also experienced in all aspects of employment law including personal grievances, mediations, investigation meetings, restructuring/redundancies, disciplinary issues, and advice on compliance and employment agreements.
Family Law
- Care and contact arrangements for children
- Parenting Orders
- Guardianship disputes – such as what school they will attend
- Orders preventing removal of children from Canterbury/New Zealand
- Relocation disputes
- Paternity
- Family violence (Protection Orders)
- Relationship property – contracting out and division of relationship property agreements
- Dissolution of marriage
- Contracting Out Agreements
Employment Law
- Personal grievances
- Mediations
- Employment Relations Authority investigation meetings
- Restructuring/redundancies
- Disciplinary issues
- Employment agreements
Property
- Sale and purchase of residential property
Family Trusts
- Family Trust formation and advice
- Management of trust gifting
Estate Law
- Wills preparation
EDUCATION
University of Canterbury LLB
I believe that quality advice is something that should be constantly learned and improved so in just the last 12 months I have attended these seminars:
- Understanding New Trusts Act
- Stepping Forward (Wellness) Programme
EXPERIENCE
I joined the Litigation Team at Layburn Hodgins in 2006, becoming an Associate in 2008 and Director in 2014. I was runner up New Zealand Family Lawyer of the Year in 2008 and was again nominated in 2009 – unfortunately the award is no longer given. My clients often tell me that they like and trust me – that motivates me.
See Susie's profile on LinkedIn
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