Your family law matter is won on the evidence.  Be assured of your competency in relation to your evidence and advocacy and blitz your Family Law cases. Feel confident with your practical understanding and skill level in relation to admitting documentary and pre-hearing evidence. Receive essential guidance on forensic evidence on how to brief the expert witness correctly and best practice tips on cross examination techniques.  This together with “War Stories” from experienced expert Counsel and solicitors will set you on a path to winning for your clients.

Presenters

Ben Snedden, Barrister, Hobson Chambers
I am a barrister specialising in family law. I have been practising family law since 2002 both in NZ and England. I regularly appear in the Family Court and undertake appeals in the High Court. I have previously presented seminars for both the NZ Law Society and Legalwise.


Caroline Hannan, Barrister, Wellington Family Law Chambers
Caroline has practised family law for over 30 years, and has practised exclusively in that field since 2002. She was first appointed as lawyer for child in 1995, and stepped away from that role in 2023. Caroline has represented countless adults and children in Family Court proceedings over the last 33 years, including in relationship property, care of children, family violence, adoption, Family Protection Act, and Hague Convention proceedings, as well as on appeals in the High Court. Caroline has presented at various seminars over the years on family law topics, and is a past deputy chair of the Family Law Section.  She has written and presented submissions on family law Bills, and appeared at select committees. Before specializing in family law, Caroline was a general practitioner, with a particular focus on criminal defence work, as well as civil and commercial litigation, conveyancing and employment law. Starting practice in Gisborne enabled Caroline to gain significant litigation experience in a relatively short time. She moved to Wellington in 1999, went to the independent bar in 2019, and shares Chambers with four other specialist family lawyers, Chris Dellabarca, Amy Gulbransen, David Tyree, and Jen Wademan.


Brintyn Smith, Barrister
Brintyn’s professional interests are in complex care of children, Family Violence, Relocation, and Care and Protection matters. Brintyn also has a special interest in matters of procedure and evidence. He accepts appointments to act as Lawyer for Child in the Family Court. Brintyn was previously employed by the Ministry of Social Development initially as a Departmental Prosecutor and following that, as Counsel for the Chief Executive in Care and Protection matters. As part of the latter role, he appeared in the District Court when applications were made against the Chief Executive for non-party disclosure. He thereafter was employed by two senior Family Law Barristers before being approved to practice on his own account in 2018. Brintyn prides himself on being a pragmatic, solutions-orientated negotiator, particularly when it comes to matters involving children. Brintyn practices in Whangarei and all over Auckland, with a particular focus on the North Shore and Waitakere. Brintyn is a member of the New Zealand Bar Association and Family Law Section.


Carmel Walsh, Barrister, Bankside Chambersx
Carmel has over 25 years’ experience as a litigator in New Zealand, Hong Kong, and England. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand in 1993; and a solicitor and solicitor advocate (Higher Courts Civil) in London in 2000/2001. She holds both a New Zealand and English practising certificate. Carmel is a former contributing author to Informa’s Reinsurance Practice and the Law, and a former secretary and editor of the Negligence and Damages committee of the International Bar Association. Since returning to New Zealand Carmel has specialised in property litigation, equity and trusts, estates litigation and relationship property, particularly where complex issues arise requiring expert forensic accounting evidence. Carmel sits on the board of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, NZTrio and the New Zealand Opera School.


Tony Davis, Director and Principal, Lyne Davis Opinion
Tony Davis is a principal and director of Lyne Davis Opinion, a specialist forensic accounting, business valuation and litigation support practice based in Auckland. He specialises in expert financial investigations, relationship property disputes, business and company valuation and the assessment of financial loss in matters subject to litigation or dispute. Tony has more than twenty-five years’ experience in investment banking, valuation and financial investigation roles. Prior to Lyne Davis Opinion, he was a corporate finance partner of Grant Thornton New Zealand after joining Grant Thornton in 2006 from a specialist valuation and litigation support practice based in Auckland. He has also previously worked in investment banking. His experience there included investment analysis and valuation, capital raising, business establishment and finance roles in private sector investments. During his career Tony has been regularly involved in the preparation and presentation of expert financial evidence in the areas of forensic accounting, relationship property disputes, business and company valuation, financial damages claims and other financial investigations. He has appeared as an expert financial witness in the Employment Relations Authority, Family Court, District Court and High Court and other dispute resolution forums.


Genevieve Haszard, Barrister, Kennedy Chambers
Genevieve is a barrister based in Tauranga and Member of Kate Sheppard Chambers. She is one of the elected area representatives on the New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture Council and one of the Association’s four Vice-Presidents. Genevieve is an experienced criminal and civil barrister and undertakes Family, Trust and Estate litigation, including appeals. She is part way through her LLM studies researching the role of Lawyer for Child. Genevieve is also a contributor to the New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture publication At the Bar.


Helen Tyree, Director, McWilliamsTyree Lawyers
Helen is a Director of McWilliam Tyree Lawyers, having been an Associate and then Senior Associate at McWilliam Rennie (predecessor of McWilliam Tyree) since 2014. Helen has practiced all areas of family law since 2003. As well as acting for clients in all areas of family law, Helen has undertaken regular appointments as lawyer for child and as lawyer for subject persons under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act since 2008. Helen is also a contributing author for the legal publication “Brookers Family Law on Family Property”, writing about relationship property agreements (separation agreements, contracting-out agreements, and setting aside those agreements). She also contributed significantly to McWilliam Rennie’s submissions to the Law Commission in relation to their review of relationship property and then succession law. She has presented seminars for Legalwise on a range of relationship property matters, relationship property law developments and on the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act.


Fiona Cowan, Partner, Denham Bramwell Lawyers
A founding partner of Denham Bramwell, Fiona’s career has given her vast experience in different aspects of the law. She has extensive experience in family law, relationship property and as an advocate for children. Fiona is an accomplished and committed lawyer and leader. She is hard working however manages to find a balance between work and life, of which she encourages members of her team to also find. Child welfare and advocacy is her unwavering passion. Fiona’s focus is always around the child's needs and finding amicable solutions for the parents, particularly when considering care arrangements. Fiona’s ability to walk parents through what will happen and help them to focus on the child’s welfare and best interests, is one of her greatest strengths. An experienced relationship property specialist, Fiona can advise on pragmatic ways forward to ensure that matters are dealt with expediently and as amicably as possible. Although a respected litigator, Fiona believes that a collaborative approach and the use of mediation, is always an option.