Presenters

Carmel Walsh, Barrister, Bankside Chambers
Carmel has over 30 years’ experience as a litigator in New Zealand, Hong Kong, and England. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand; and a solicitor and solicitor advocate (Higher Courts Civil) in England. She holds both a New Zealand and English practising certificate. As a London based partner of an international law firm she managed high value multinational complex litigation particularly involving multinational accountancy practices. She was a 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. Carmel now specialises in property litigation, equity and trusts, estates litigation and relationship property where trusts or complex issues arise. Carmel has served on the boards of many arts organisations and trusts, and is the Chair of the board of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Kesia Denhardt, Barrister, Kate Sheppard Chambers
Kesia is a member of both Hepburn Chambers and Kate Sheppard Chambers. She handles all types of family law matters, with a particular interest in relationship property issues arising out of a separation, complex parenting and protection disputes, and reproductive law. Kesia has written and presented legal seminars on various family law issues and authored articles for a number of legal publications. Kesia is an appointed member of the FLS Advisory Panel focussed on family law reform. She has been an appointed member of a number of other committees, including the Auckland Women Lawyers’ Association and a NZLS Lawyers Standards Committee. Kesia is also an ambassador of White Ribbon New Zealand; appointed in recognition of her work in assisting victims of family violence.