Managing Director

Cheryl is an experienced senior solicitor specialising in property and conveyancing matters. A University of Otago graduate, she was admitted in 2012. Prior to obtaining her law degree, Cheryl was the office manager and law clerk for Jeff Walker for many years. She has been with the firm since its inception in 1999.

Cheryl has an in-depth understanding of the day-to-day practice management and extensive legal knowledge. She is best known in the area of property law where she often juggles a multitude of complicated transactions. She is also highly skilled in in other areas of legal practice. Cheryl has a diverse property law practice and has become a trusted adviser to a broad range of clients including private and corporate entities.  

Cheryl is closely tied to the sporting community and has held significant board roles including chairing Southland District Rugby League and a board member for the Southern Zone Rugby League.

In 2014, her service to this sector was honoured when she was awarded Administrator of the Year at the Southland Sports Awards.

Director

Pip specialises in family law and private client matters. Pip worked the best part of the first decade of her practice in Melbourne and Sydney in private client litigation having graduated from Otago University with a double degree in Law and Arts (communication). Pip returned to NZ in 2019.

Pip is passionate about the delivery of sustainable long-term outcomes to family disputes and believes in applying a costs sensitive approach. Pip believes in looking at the “big picture" when navigating disputes involving children. Pip previously held the Executive position of Chair of Collaborative Resolution New Zealand and Vice President of the Victorian Association for Collaborative Professionals in Melbourne and is an advocate for keeping families out of Court where possible.

When required, Pip is a strong advocate and appears for her clients regularly in the Family Court & is experienced in High Court Appeals. Pip is a Court appointed Lawyer for Child representing children in care of children disputes. Pip enjoys advising on asset protection and structuring including establishing trusts and preparing pre-nuptial or contracting out agreements.

Pip describes the highlight of her career as working alongside her Dad, Jeff. Pip enjoys exploring the backyard of Murihiku, the arts and time with her husband and three young children. Pip has many clients in Rakiura / Stewart Island.

Practice Manager

Carly originally began working at the firm Jeff Walker & Judy Restieaux Lawyers as an Office Junior and then as a Legal Secretary for 8 years in the late 90’s.

Following a 16-year hiatus in which she qualified and worked as an Early Childhood Teacher, Carly returned to the team in July 2024 and in 2025 commenced the role of Practice Manager. She keeps our ship afloat!

Carly is our go to when we need help, she makes sure things run smoothly, knows exactly where everything is and is our friendly ear when we need it. Without her, life would be a lot more difficult, we are exceptionally grateful for her contribution of skills to our team.

Consultant

Cleland is a born and bred Southlander and has practised law for more than 40 years. He began his career at Tait Ward & Co in 1977 before beginning his own legal practice as a sole practitioner in 1999. 

In 2005, Cleland joined forces with Jeff Walker to form Jeff Walker & Cleland Murdoch Lawyers which was later incorporated as Walker Murdoch Law Limited.

Cleland’s work includes all complex property matters including attending to conveyancing, trusts, wills, estates, matrimonial matters.

Cleland is a dedicated Lawyer for Children representing children in Family Court proceedings and ensuring their views are heard and expressed to the Court.

Cleland is well known and regarded across Southland and the profession for his personable approach to matters. Clients place immense value on his provision of reliable and honest advice to clients. He has also served as the District Inspector for Mental Health for 25 years. His patient and caring attitude in this work has been a considerable offering to the community over many years.

Outside of the office, Cleland is involved with harness racing, enjoys watching sports and spending time with his extended family.

Associate Solicitor

Kylie is a dedicated and approachable solicitor with expertise in residential conveyancing, estate planning, relationship property, and commercial transactions. She has a particular interest in commercial law, especially the buying and selling of businesses, a field she enjoys for its variety and the unique challenges each transaction brings.

After graduating from the University of Otago in 2011 with a double degree in Law and Commerce (Marketing), Kylie began her legal career in criminal law before heading overseas. During her time abroad, she broadened her professional experience across the legal, banking, and mining sectors, gaining valuable insight into a range of industries. She returned to New Zealand in 2019 to be closer to family and has since been practicing locally in Southland.

Kylie’s strength lies in her ability to adapt to each client’s individual needs. In conveyancing, she places great importance on understanding where each client is coming from, whether they’re first-home buyers or seasoned investors, and ensures they feel informed and supported throughout the process. She takes pride in her friendly and social nature and in her ability to connect with clients by listening attentively, acknowledging vulnerability, and helping them feel heard.

Outside of work, Kylie enjoys spending time with her young family and pottering in her garden. She's also an avid traveller, having visited 39 countries, with many more still on her wish list.

Associate | Registered Legal Executive

Christie’s journey in the legal profession began in 2003 during her high school years, when she worked as an office junior for Jeff Walker and Judy Restieaux Lawyers. In 2005, she transitioned into a full-time role at another city firm, where she gained extensive experience over eight years. She returned to work with Jeff Walker & Cleland Murdoch in 2013 (now Walker Murdoch Law) and has been an integral part of the team ever since.

Christie has since completed her qualifications as a Registered Legal Executive and has become an Associate of the firm. Her areas of expertise include conveyancing, sale and purchase of residential and commercial property, business transactions, refinancing, commercial leases, subdivisions, family trusts, and wills. She is known for her attention to detail and her ability to navigate complex legal matters with confidence and care.

Christie is valued by both clients and colleagues for her enthusiasm and approachable nature—her infectious laugh is a familiar and welcome sound in the office.

Outside of work, Christie enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children and keeping active through regular exercise.

Associate | Registered Legal Executive

Kat joined the team in May 2024, bringing over 15 years of experience in the legal industry.  She is an Associate Member of the NZ Institute for Registered Legal Executives and aims to achieve ‘Fellow’ status in the latter half of 2024, being the highest level of membership for Legal Executives in NZ. 

Kat’s expertise spans Estate Administration, Residential Conveyancing, Commercial, Trust and Succession Law, and she is excited to be extending on that by providing support to our Director and Family Law Specialist, Pip Walker Stevens. 

Kat prides herself on her accuracy, speed and attention to detail, and is motivated by a challenge.  She enjoys working with people and assisting clients to meet their objectives in the most efficient way possible.

Outside of the office, Kat cherishes downtime with her family and is a movie enthusiast.  She is often busy moving from one after school activity to the next and looks forward to more time on the water fishing when the Southland weather permits.  

Solicitor

Jacob is a Murihiku local who studied law at the University of Canterbury.

His focus has always been on people. He values Southland’s tight-knit community, which is one of the reasons he chose to begin his legal career in Invercargill. He appreciates the strong, long-term relationships found here and looks forward to building those within the professional community.

Jacob enjoys many areas of law, but he is especially drawn to roles that allow him to help and connect with others. While studying, he volunteered as a caseworker at Community Law Canterbury, gaining insight into the diverse circumstances people face and working with them to navigate their challenges.

Outside the office, Jacob can often be found at the beach, staying active, or spending time with friends. He loves the outdoors and hopes to complete more of the Great Walks. One of his favourite places in Murihiku is the Catlins, where he feels at home among the natural surroundings and wildlife.

Solicitor

After studying five years in Dunedin/Otepoti and completing a Bachelor in Law and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in History), Thea has come home to Waihopai, to take the next step in her career. Walker Murdoch Law.

Thea is a compassionate person, her aspirations to be a lawyer came from her dream to help build the community of Murihiku. She prides herself on her ability to connect with people. This is a big part of why she enjoys law so much. Through practicing law, she hopes to forge strong connections with her clients, and assist them through both the positive and difficult times of their lives.  

In her downtime, Thea enjoys unwinding with a book or a canvas and, taking her Hungarian Vizla, Nahla, for a walk. History is another one of her greatest passions. She is often found researching her family ancestry to learn more about her heritage and is also involved as an active member of the Wyndham and Districts Historical Society, who are currently fundraising for a new museum.

Thea is very excited to begin her legal career at Walker Murdoch Law and she’s looking forward to learning and growing, ready to join Murihiku’s great list of lawyers that have gone before her.

Legal Administrator

Sarah is an institution of the Walker Murdoch firm, with 25 years’ experience and having been working with Cleland since day one at Tait Ward Adams & Murdoch. Sarah then moved with Cleland when he first started out as a sole practitioner in the 1990’s. Naturally, she transitioned well to the Walker Murdoch Law team and enjoys the social nature of a larger team of staff.

As a Law Clerk, Sarah specialises in conveyancing, which sees her assisting clients with the buying and selling of housing and refinancing of their properties. 

She enjoys the variety of work that comes from the law industry and is always looking for a challenge to keep her inspired.

Sarah is loved by her clients for her sense of humor and straight talking attitude.

Legal Administrator

Shaney joined our team in August 2024. She completed her Legal Executive Diploma in June 2025. 

Shaney is currently working in an administrative role and assists Pip and the Family Law Team.

Outside of the office, Shaney enjoys spending time with her friends, relaxing with her dogs, playing netball and staying active in the gym.

Trust Account Administrator

As Trust Account Adminstrator, Gabbie brings a unique mix of administrative experience, technical skills, and a strong eye for detail. Before stepping into the legal field, she spent two years as a church administrator, where she managed finances, supported pastoral staff, oversaw social media, and provided IT support.

Previously, she spent time working closely with children in educational and mentoring settings. Whether leading group activities, helping with schoolwork, or guiding conversations about values and character, she developed a strong foundation in patience, empathy, active listening, and building trust. These experiences helped shape her people-first approach to work and taught her the importance of structure, consistency, and clear communication.

With a natural aptitude for technology, a love for learning new systems, and a methodical approach to processes and compliance, Gabbie plays a key role in ensuring the firm's trust accounting is handled with precision and care.

Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering in her local community, often found coaching or umpiring netball games. When she’s not on the court, she’s likely in the kitchen baking something sweet or curled up with a good book.

Junior Secretary

Shikayla started with us a Gateway student and has flourished quickly into an integral part of our team. Even when she was little, Shikayla always new that a Law office was the place for her. From the elegant outfits to fine detailed systems, she knew that this she would excel at.

Since April 2025, she has had a hands-on approach to learning things around the office, ready to dive and say yes, she’s all go. Dedicated to furthering her education more, she is now studying to become a Legal Executive and due to be completed in July 2026.

While she might be our youngest employee, Shikayla thinks this is to her advantage because she’s on the right path to becoming her greatest self.

Even though she loves being in the office, she also loves being at home reading a good book, baking up a storm or styling the perfect outfit. She’s creative and fun and we love having her in our team.

Office Junior

Leilani recently joined Walker Murdoch Law as an office junior, where she supports her co-workers by managing day-to-day administrative tasks and assisting with smooth communication between clients and colleague. Leilani’s role includes handling phone calls, providing timely assistant to staff, and ensuring the office runs more efficient.

This position is giving Leilani valuable experience in a professional legal environment at Walker Murdoch Law.