who we are.
We are business, trust and private client law experts. We are able to offer the same level of expertise, quality and client service as a big firm in a smaller, more personal and cost-effective environment. We are professional, but we are also down to earth and practical people who enjoy working with clients to solve their problems and achieve their goals.
Matt Hay PRINCIPAL
Matt is a former partner of a leading national law firm. Matt specialises in advising businesses on structuring, governance, acquisitions and disposals, as well as a range of trust and personal property matters.
What clients love about Matt
Clients love Matt for his clear thinking and communication, his extensive business and trust law expertise and his knack for making the complex seem easy.
Outside work
Matt is married with three children and is an avid fan of Americana music. He plays and sings a bit himself. Have a listen at matthay1.bandcamp.com
Memberships
Matt is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Property Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society.
Lloyd Davies PRINCIPAL
Lloyd is an experienced lawyer with over 20 years' experience in a wide range of property, environmental, commercial and regulatory environments. He has worked in large commercial law firms and as in-house counsel.
Lloyd specialises in advising businesses and their owners on a range of commercial and property matters including acquisitions and disposals, leasing and subdivisions. He also advises individuals on wide range of personal property matters.
What clients love about Lloyd
Clients love Lloyd for his pragmatic advice and ability to provide expert, tailored legal solutions.
Outside work
Lloyd is married with four children and, despite graduating 20 years ago, is still playing football for his University club.
Mell Clarke-Cornor PRINCIPAL
Mell has over 15 years’ experience and specialises in advising on residential and commercial property transactions, other property-related matters including leases and subdivisions, relationship property, trusts and estate and succession planning.
What clients love about Mell
Clients love Mell for her personable and friendly approach and for getting the job done quickly and efficiently.
Outside work
Mell loves spending time with her family, playing and watching sport, keeping fit and generally enjoying life.
Mell works Monday 9.30am to 2:30pm, Tuesday 9:30am to 5pm, Wednesday 8am to 5pm, Friday 8am to 5pm
Beth McCall PRINCIPAL
Beth began her legal career working in two leading national law firms. Beth specialises in property and private client matters, including residential and commercial property transactions, leasing and subdivisions, relationship property, trustees and estate and succession planning. Beth has a particular passion for charities and not-for-profit law and provides advice to charities and other non-profit organisations on a range of operational and constitutional matters.
What clients love about Beth
Clients love Beth’s passion for her work and her ability to understand what really matters to them.
Outside work
Beth is a busy mum of two young children who rarely give her much time to sit down. Beth lives in Petone and loves to spend her spare time soaking up the culture of the area.
Beth works Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 2pm.
David Chapman CONSULTANT
David was the partner in a leading national law firm for over 20 years before he and Jeff Tong established Chapman Tong Law, a successful boutique legal practice that provided legal services to private and small business clients before it merged with Succeed Legal in 2020.
David is a trust specialist who advises clients on personal and small business matters including trusts, wills, elder law and estates.
What clients love about David
Clients love David for his sensible, pragmatic and personalised advice.
Outside work
David is married with two adult children. He enjoys his wife’s Pilates classes, plays golf with varying degrees of success and is a keen flyfisher. When he can’t get to a river, David ties his own flies, often with an overly optimistic view of their effectiveness.
Eddie Jackson ASSOCIATE
Eddie graduated from Victoria University with an LLB in 2015 and was admitted to the bar in June 2016. Eddie works with privately owned businesses on a range of matters including sale and purchase transactions, business structuring and corporate governance. Eddie also advises on a range of not-for-profit, trust and personal property matters.
What clients love about Eddie
Clients love Eddie's easygoing and approachable nature and his prompt and pragmatic advice.
Outside work
Eddie enjoys spending time with his friends and family and also spearfishing and freediving in New Zealand and abroad.
Amelia Wheeler LAWYER
Amelia is starting out on her law career, graduating in 2020 from Victoria University with a conjoint degree in a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts. Amelia has previously been working for our team as our chief Deeds Clerk while studying and gaining a range of experience.
What clients love about Amelia
Clients love Amelia for her efficiency and the energy she brings to her work.
Outside work
Amelia has her NZ Netball Badge in Umpiring, so in her spare time, you will find her running the length of the netball court. Of course, that’s when she’s not throwing herself into further study – she’s no stranger to hard work.
Adam Selim Lawyer
Adam brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our team. Originally from The Netherlands, Adam moved to New Zealand with his family where he pursued a degree in law at Victoria University of Wellington. He has gained valuable practical insights into the workings of the legal system while working as a Law Clerk in a government department before joining us in 2023 when he graduated.
What clients love about Adam
Clients appreciate Adam’s cool, calm and collected approach to his work, making him a trusted ally in even the most high-pressure situations.
Outside work
When Adam isn’t working, you’ll find him indulging his creative side by crafting animations or hitting the tennis courts for a friendly game.
Lucy Lowe LAW CLERK
Lucy is just starting out in law, graduating early 2024 with an LLB. Lucy works across all areas of law in our team, though she has a particular interest in trust and commercial law.
What clients love about Lucy
Clients love the energy Lucy brings to her work, and her genuine interest in helping them find solutions.
Outside work
In her spare time Lucy loves being active, challenging herself at her local crossfit gym, or making the most of a good beach day enjoying surfing and swimming.
Nicky Smith LEGAL EXECUTIVE
Nicky has worked in legal services for most of her working career – first, as a legal secretary and more recently as a legal executive. Nicky specialises in the administration of estates, wills and enduring powers of attorney, trusts and estate and succession planning.
What clients love about Nicky
Clients love Nicky’s calm and understanding manner, and her quiet efficiency - Nicky gets the job done with the minimum of fuss.
Outside work
Nicky enjoys spending time with her family (she has two beautiful girls) and has been known to unleash the inner rocker at the odd big concert or two.
Nicky works Monday to Thursday from 9.15am to 2.15pm
Tessa Amey LEGAL EXECUTIVE
Tessa has spent most of her working career in legal services as a legal secretary/assistant and legal executive. Tessa specialises in residential property transactions. She also assists clients with trust and estate planning matters including completing wills and enduring powers of attorney.
What clients love about Tessa
Clients love Tessa’s get it done attitude.
Outside work
Tessa enjoys spending time with her young family and socialising with her friends.
Tessa works Monday 6.30am to 4.30pm, Tuesday 7am to 3.30pm, Wednesday 7.30am to 10am, Thursday and Friday 7am to 4.30pm.
Leonté Toscano LEGAL ADMINISTRATOR
Leonté has taken to legal services like an old hand. Leonté works in our residential conveyancing team – helping people buy and sell houses and refinance their home loans. She also assists clients with their trust administration.
What clients love about Leonté
Clients love Leonte’s easy going manner and her clear communication.
Outside work
When her dog, Brocc, isn’t keeping her on her toes, Leonté loves giving new things a go – she’s even made her own summer sandals.