Equip you with valuable insights and tools as you dive into the 3 critical concerns and recent law reform in elder law. Examine supported decision making of people with disabilities, an important concern for the elderly. Navigate the implication of decision-making capacity law reform in the PPPR Act. Gain a practical guide on handling informal, lost wills and incorrect wills and validation of these difficult scenarios.

Presenters

Shelley Eden, Principal, Shelley Eden Law
After working at senior levels and leading employment teams in two established firms, in 2023 Shelley has branched out on her own and set up Shelley Eden Law. Shelley has significant years of experience in employment law, representing clients at every level and dealing with every type of employment issue. Shelley brings technical expertise but also commercial pragmatism and pro-activity to her role. Shelley is a strong presenter and enjoys helping businesses to satisfactorily resolve employment issues and to have an engaged, productive workforce. She often works closely with the HR team in client businesses, to help achieve this.


Iris Reuvecamp, Principal, Vida Law
Iris is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. Iris has been practising as a health and disability law specialist for twenty years both as in-house counsel and as an external advisor. Iris currently works part-time as in-house legal counsel for the Mental Health, Addiction and Intellectual Disability Service for Capital, Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa Districts, Te Whatu Ora, as well as advising a range of public and private health and disability sector organisations. Iris appears regularly in a range of courts and tribunals including the Human Rights Review Tribunal, Coroners Court, Family Court, District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. Iris is a court appointed lawyer for the subject person under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 and lawyer for the child. She is an Affiliate of the Law Faculty and a Professional Practice Fellow of the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago and teaches on health and disability law.


Associate Professor Brigit Mirfin-Veitch, Kaiwhakahaere - Director, Donald Beasley Institute
Dr Brigit Mirfin-Veitch is the Director of the Donald Beasley Institute (DBI), and a Research Associate Professor with the Centre for Post Graduate Nursing Studies, University of Otago (Christchurch). For the past three decades, Brigit has been committed to initiating and achieving social change through evidence-based research. She has led or been involved in a wide range of disability rights-based projects in the area of health and well-being, access to justice, violence and abuse, parenting, and the progressive realisation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, particularly Article 12 – Equal Recognition Before the Law - and Supported Decision Making. Brigit was centrally involved in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care in a range of capacities, including as a researcher, expert witness, and member of several advisory groups related to the final report writing process.


Dr Robbie Francis Watene, Kairakahau Matua - Senior Researcher, Donald Beasley Institute
Dr Robbie Francis Watene is a disabled leader, scholar and advocate from South Auckland. With 35 years lived experience of disability, Robbie has worked in the disability sector for over 15 years as a support worker, humanitarian documentarian, social entrepreneur, researcher, consultant, and advisor. She has experience working with disabled people in France, Bangladesh, India, Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador, and has also spearheaded research on gender, war and disability rights. Robbie is Disabled-Led Research Lead at the Donald Beasley Institute (DBI). In this role, she oversees a range of disabled-led and disability inclusive human rights research projects, including the Disabled Person Led Monitoring Project, which the DBI conducted on behalf of the Disabled Person Organisations’ Coalition from 2018-2024.


Mary Joy Simpson, Partner, Hesketh Henry
A specialist in trust and estate planning law, Mary Joy Simpson regularly reviews and provides advice on personal asset management plans. She is experienced in navigating issues arising for clients and families as they put in place and act under enduring powers of attorney. Mary Joy is a partner with Auckland law firm Hesketh Henry, leading their private client team. Mary Joy has previously presented CLE papers on wills, trust drafting and enduring power of attorney.