Jeff Walker
Director
jeff@wmlaw.co.nz
Jeff completed his LLB at the University of Otago in 1976. Before embarking on his legal career, Jeff obtained his commercial skippers ticket and joined the New Zealand Territorial Army. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer before completing his university studies and in 1977, he worked as a tutor at the New Zealand Technical Correspondence Institute in Lower Hutt.
His legal career began back at home in Southland in 1978 at Watson Savage, where he was made a Partner in 1981. In 1983 Watson Savage amalgamated with Hannan Arthur to Arthur Watson Savage. In 1999 he set up his own practice, before joining Cleland Murdoch in partnership in 2005.
As a court lawyer, Jeff has conducted jury trials in the High Court and civil cases in the District and High courts. He has also conducted several appeals to the Court of Appeal as Counsel.
Jeff’s interest in fishing resulted in him being Counsel in the High Court case challenging the regulations to change the method of measuring crayfish by commercial fishers. The introduction of the Quota Management System ( QMS ) resulted in Jeff being appointed to act for many fishermen challenging the allocations made to them. He continues to be appointed by the Family Court as Lawyer for Children, Lawyer for Subject Person and additionally as Counsel to Assist the Court. He was appointed Amicus Curiae in a case, resulting from the sinking of the boat Easy Rider .
Although , initially , Jeff’s legal career revolved around court work he has always had an interest in providing advice to business ( especially primary sector businesses ) and helping individual clients and businesses structure their affairs.
Throughout his career, Jeff has been active in the governance of both not-for-profit and profit organisations. He was the first Managing Partner of Arthur Watson Savage. He was a board member of SBS Bank for 18 years and retired as Deputy Chairman. Jeff was Chairman of its subsidiary, Finance Now, for a several years and was also Chairman of the SBS Financial Advisory Company, Funds Administration New Zealand Limited. An active and contributing member of the Southland community, Jeff is the President of the Southland WEA and President of the Federation of Workers Educational Association in Aotearoa.
Over his career Jeff held office in a number of other organisations including:
President of Southland Football for 21 years and was also President of the regional body , Football South.
President of Marriage Guidance Southland
National President of Relationship Services
President of Stopping Violence Southland
President Southland District Law Society
Cleland Murdoch
Director
cleland@wmlaw.co.nz
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 late 1970.
In 1999,, 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.
Cheryl Officer
Director
cheryl@wmlaw.co.nz
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 signficant board roles including chairing Southland District Rugby League and a baord 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.
Pip Walker
Associate
pip@wmlaw.co.nz
Armed with a double degree in Law and Arts (Communications) from the University of Otago, Pip specialises in family law and private client matters. Pip worked in Melbourne and Sydney for the formative years of her career. Pip made the move back to Southland in 2019, joining the team where she had first begun her career as an office junior and graduate lawyer.
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 holds the Executive position of Co-Chair of Collaborative Resolution New Zealand 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 and in the District & High Courts.
Pip has acted in a variety of matters, including complex financial matters involving corporate entities, third party intervenors, disputed valuation matters and matters involving complex trust structures.
Pip describes as the highlight of her career as working alongside her Dad. Pip enjoys exploring the backyard of Southland and has many clients in Rakiura / Stewart Island.
Natasha Careswell
Registered Legal Executive
natasha@wmlaw.co.nz
Natasha has over 10 years’ experience in the legal industry. She began her career at Walker Murdoch as a Legal Secretary, having practiced at another well-known Southland firm and before gaining her Diploma in Legal Executive Studies diploma.
As a Legal Executive, she assists the Walker Murdoch directors with Estate Administration (including Probate and Letters of Administration), preparation of Wills and Enduring Power of Attorney, Trust and Asset Planning, Family Law, Conveyancing, Debt Collection and Limited Licence Applications.
Helping clients to achieve good outcomes, no matter what situation they’re in, is Natasha’s main driver in her work.
Natasha was likely always meant to end up working in law, with her propensity for helping others and, also, after watching one of her favourite TV shows, Boston Legal.
Christie Nelson
Registered Legal Executive
Christie@wmlaw.co.nz
Christie’s passion for the law industry stems back to her high school days, where she started working as an office junior at Jeff Walker and Judy Restieaux Lawyers. In 2013 she returned to work with Jeff, joining the Walker Murdoch team as a Law Clerk.
Her work involves all aspects of conveyancing, which includes reviewing agreements and titles, completing sale and purchase transactions, as well as KiwiSaver transactions. She enjoys the varied interaction with clients and the complexities that come with the industry.
Recently, Christie has extended her area of practice to include assisting with clients making wills and considering their estate structuring.
While working with Walker Murdoch Law, Christie has completed her studies to become a qualified Legal Executive.
The team and clients love Christie’s enthusiasm and her laugh can often be heard in the “west wing” of the office.
Sarah Templeton
Law Clerk
sarah@wmlaw.co.nz
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 1970’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.
Kylie Keen
Law Clerk
kylie@wmlaw.co.nz
Kylie is a Law Clerk who works with the property team. Kylie is responsible for running conveyancing files from end to end and providing invaluable administrative support to the team.
Kylies expertise extends to residential transactions, rural land transactions and refinancing matters. She is a valued member of the conveyancing team and enjoys the variation of work that comes with this field.
Kylie works directly with Cheryl Officer as her right-hand woman, assisting in day-to-day activities and providing support where it is needed.
Kylie is a favourite among clients, as she always attends to their matters with diligence, patience, and enthusiasm.
Rheanna Hunt
Legal Secretary
rheanna@wmlaw.co.nz
Rheanna joined the team at the beginning of 2017. She is our Trust Account Administrator, and is Legal Secretary to Jeff Walker.
Rheanna handles daily management of the trust account, ensuring Walker Murdoch complies with processes as directed by the Law Society, and that the trust account balances. This role is one that would be stressful for many but Rheanna takes on willingly in a calm and collected manner.
The learning that comes from working in the law industry compelled Rheanna to make the move into the legal sector several years ago and she hasn’t looked back.
Courtney Dempster
Legal Secretary
courtney@wmlaw.co.nz
Courtney joined Walker Murdoch in 2019 and has quickly made herself an integral part of the team providing assistance in many different areas of the practice. Courtney recently completed her Trust Account Administrations Certificate, giving the Walker Murdoch team extra support to keep account management in top shape.
Courtney is a Legal Secretary for Cleland and Pip and is a vital part of the whole team responsible for many tasks including greeting and looking after clients from the moment they step through the door, document preparation and has recently become responsible for overseeing the firms marketing plan.
Fortunately for the whole team, Courtney is a star baker and her brownie is unrivaled.
Tori Goble
Office Junior
Tori is the WM law office junior, a role enjoyed by several other staff members in times gone by including Christie and Pip.
The office junior is responsible for daily administrative tasks for all staff. Tori is also responsible for ensuring timely deliveries all over town, to other professionals and local law firms. Tori is Courtney’s right hand lady and has a talent for paginating documents.
By day, Tori attends Southland Girls High School and has future hopes of legal studies following completing High School.