Gerard Molloy
Partner
Gerard is a trusted adviser to many families, trusts, charitable organisations and companies across a range of industry sectors.
He enjoys solving legal problems, and is recognised for his strengths in negotiating deals for clients. Combining strong analytical skills with commercial acumen, Gerard provides concise, pragmatic and solutions-focussed advice.
He has taken the lead on capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions, providing strategic advice to boards of directors and complex commercial agreements.
Gerard enjoys providing advice on property matters and asset planning advice. He is often called upon to provide guidance and strategic advice in relationship property litigation and estate claims.
Outside the office he has tried and failed at surfing, snowboarding, fishing and playing guitar. He now has his sights set on swimming.
Here’s what some of his clients say about him.
What people say about Gerard
Nathan Batts
Partner
Nathan is an experienced litigator, having appeared in courts at all levels. He has significant general civil and court experience, including acting as counsel in defended criminal jury trials. He has undertaken considerable regulatory work and enjoys working alongside the team on company and liquidation matters.
He is adept at all areas of Employment law.
Nathan enjoys running and the outdoors, but mostly now this involves chasing his children around the house.
What people say about Nathan
Melinda Whyte
Partner
Melinda has extensive commercial legal experience, having worked in large and mid-size firms for over 20 years.
She is warm and approachable. Melinda enjoys documenting new arrangements and translating legalese into digestible language and concepts for her clients. She can help you understand your position when looking at an opportunity, buying or selling a business or signing contracts. Melinda can tell you whether you are getting a good deal or not.
She also has plenty of experience overseeing property and trust transactions.
Melinda likes to spend her time outside the office travelling, swimming or with her nose in a book.
Richard Belcher
Senior Associate
Richie is a trusted litigator with particular expertise in criminal and regulatory prosecutions, public law, and trusts and estates disputes.
He regularly appears as counsel in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as a range of specialist tribunals. Known for his clear, pragmatic approach to complex matters, Richie also has experience acting in arbitrations, mediations and judicial settlement conferences.
As a former prosecutor, Richie has acted across a wide range of criminal and regulatory matters, including Crown prosecutions and proceedings involving WorkSafe, Maritime New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Waka Kotahi, the Commissioner of Police, the New Zealand Law Society, the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Real Estate Agents Authority, the Royal Society for the Protection and Care of Animals and the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.
He also maintains an active civil practice. In addition to commercial and insurance-based disputes, Richard has particular experience in public and administrative law, and trusts and estates disputes. He has appeared in and advised on several judicial review proceedings and is instructed by both professional trustees and private individuals to advance, or defend, trust and estate claims.
Kenton Starr
Associate
Kenton specialises in litigation, with a broad practice including civil and company, criminal defence, family asset matters, and employment law. Kenton enjoys courtroom advocacy with a focus on understanding each case’s unique complexities and developing effective strategies to achieve favourable outcomes for their clients. In his downtime, Kenton closely follows politics and global affairs. At home he can be found building Lego with his toddler.
Sara Clark
Legal Executive
Sara is the person you can trust when it comes to trusts. There isn’t anything she doesn’t know about estate planning. She loves getting the paperwork right, and she thinks of stuff nobody else does. Clients appreciate her prompt advice and attention to detail.
Happiest at the beach, Sara and her family disappear as often as possible to Opito Bay in the Coromandel.
Kendall D'Souza
Law Clerk
Kendall is a lawyer in the property and commercial team, assisting with property transactions, wills, trusts and estates.
Born and raised in Auckland, Kendall brings a warm and approachable manner to her work with clients.
Outside the office, Kendall loves the outdoors - whether hiking or running. She also has a passion for travel and exploring new places. Blessed with a great voice, she has been performing on stage ever since she could remember.
Mariska Nieuwkoop
Legal Secretary
Mariska has extensive experience working with senior lawyers in both Singapore and New Zealand. She is organised and methodical.
She is also the friendly voice on the end of the phone. Her calm approachable manner and attention to detail makes her a trusted point of contact for both clients and lawyers alike.
Mariska likes riding around the city (which may have something to do with her Dutch heritage). She is regularly led into temptation by chocolate.
Kaye Curran
Practice Manager
Kaye’s background is as an accountant, but in the second half of her career she came across from the dark side and has been knocking law firms and charities into shape.
Kaye is friendly and approachable, with a get stuff done approach.
Her children are spread out around the globe, so in her free time she likes to travel and check that their rooms are tidy.
