Tessa Kirby – Solicitor – LLB
Tessa graduated with an LLB at the end of 2022 after spending 5 years at the University of Canterbury studying Law and Psychology. She is currently completing her final course of study and hopes to be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor by the end of 2023.
Tessa has an interest in many areas of law including family, relationship property, conveyancing, wills, and employment. She currently assists our lawyers with research across all areas and you may see her observing both District Court and Family Court matters.
Tessa is a born and bred Southlander and attended James Hargest College. She has grown up in a farming family and enjoys spending her time with family, friends and her dog, Luke. She also enjoys baking the best cookies in the world and keeping fit. Tessa has a passion for access to justice, advocacy for all people and is compassionate in all she does.
Nikita Brookland
Personal assistant to Katarina Coote, Tessa Kirby & Bella Hiroki
Nikita is the smiling face on the end of the phone when you contact us and the first person you meet when you walk through our door, she will happily direct you to the appropriate person.
Ava Kite
Personal assistant to Roger Eagles
After starting her legal career at another Southland firm, Ava joined the team in 2023 as PA to senior legal counsel, Roger Eagles. She assists Roger in criminal and parole matters, together with civil proceedings and relationship property matters. Ava enjoys dealing with people from all aspects of life and has special interest in criminal proceedings. She also enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the outdoors with her dog.
Amber Handley
Personal assistant to Richard Little
Amber joined the team at the beginning of 2019 as our Receptionist before moving into her current role as Richard’s PA at the beginning of 2021. Amber assists Richard with criminal, civil and private client (trusts, wills and estates) matters. Amber especially enjoys assisting Richard with conveyancing transactions and his role as District Inspector for Mental Health in Southland.
Amber enjoys spending her free time in the garden with her animals. Amber is currently studying for her New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies.
Jazz Varcoe
Accounts administrator
Jazz joined the team at the beginning of 2021 as our Receptionist before moving into her current role as our Accounts Administrator in May 2022. Jazz assists with the daily management of our accounts and ensures that everything balances as well as assisting Virginia with wills and conveyancing transactions, which she especially enjoys.
Jazz enjoys spending her free time outdoors and keeping fit as well as spending time with her family and friends. Jazz is currently studying for her New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies