GUIDING GENERATIONS
A global legal career meets a pull back home, as Rebecca Steens brings international expertise to Tauranga’s ever-changing wealth and succession landscape.
A global legal career meets a pull back home, as Rebecca Steens brings international expertise to Tauranga’s ever-changing wealth and succession landscape.
WORDS PIP CROMBIE | PHOTOS DEBORAH DE GRAAF
There’s no place like home, or so the adage goes. It certainly proved true for the most recent female partner to join Holland Beckett, Rebecca Steens. She and her husband, Michael, were feeling quite settled after four years in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands. The active, outdoorsy lifestyle they enjoyed on the self-governing British Crown Dependency, located around 20km off the French coast, was offset by the rich mix of French and British history and culture on offer. Rebecca loved her rewarding role specialising in trust litigation within an international context, but New Zealand and family tugged them home in late 2019, only a few months before COVID-19 unleashed lockdowns and other restrictions.
“While it was the close of a wonderful part of our lives, the draw of home and all that offers was the right decision in the end,” explains Rebecca.
Nearly seven years on, as a highly regarded succession and estate planning lawyer with more than 12 years’ experience advising clients on trusts, estates, succession planning and asset protection, Rebecca says her life and background have brought focus to her practice.
“My life so far – the diverse travel, living and working overseas, being a daughter, wife, mother, first home buyer, working parent… all have brought a different perspective to me as an estate planning lawyer, and a partner at Holland Beckett.”
Rebecca's husband Michael runs an engineering business specialising in marine welding, giving her an appreciation of the day-to-day workings and challenges faced by small, industry-specific businesses. That said, she feels at ease with a diverse range of locals and large business owners, having grown up during the burgeoning Bay of Plenty growth phase, in an economy driven by orcharding, ocean industries, port expansion and extensive property development. Like others at Holland Beckett, her significant international experience contributes to the comprehensive legal services on offer by the firm.
In late 2019, Rebecca joined Holland Beckett as a senior solicitor in the firm’s litigation team. She transitioned into the Succession, Trusts and Estates team in 2021, where her leadership has been instrumental in shaping its growth and reputation. “We’re living in a time of the biggest intergenerational shift of wealth from the Baby Boomer generation,” she says. “The recipients of the trusts set up by that ageing generation do not always live in New Zealand. There are tax implications, the division of wealth is not as straightforward as people may believe – many don’t even know where their money will go if they don’t have a will. There’s often an assumption it goes to their wife or husband, but this is being challenged in real life as the Administration Act 1969 [which deals with rules on intestacy] is not consistent with the way we live now.”
Rebecca feels driven to ensure her clients have a clear understanding about the value and division of their wealth, no matter what size it is. She says the increase in blended families, relationship disputes, dependents living with disabilities needing life-long care, those with terminal health diagnoses – all manner of life situations – deserve transparency and guidance in ensuring their wishes are met, and not open to dispute by those left behind.
Joining the now 17-strong partnership at one of Bay of Plenty’s largest legal firms felt right to Rebecca. She describes a law partnership as a relationship and in the way of any relationship, had a clear understanding of what she could bring to it.
Rebecca’s happy to report it has been a completely positive move. “It has enriched my life. The support I’ve had from the partnership and my team to get where I am has been so valued. I navigated the added responsibilities through parental leave and two very young children. Having such a strong female presence in the partnership [seven of the 17 partners are women] is something I appreciate, as is the depth and breadth of experience in our partnership.”
Holland Beckett prides itself on its community involvement, with one of its initiatives being free Wills Month in September. Sponsorship of various awards, a diverse range of charities, pro bono work… the firm is engaged in doing its bit. With 50 staff in 2012, the growth to over 160 by 2025 has seen the need to move to larger premises. Rebecca joins the partnership at the start of this exciting next chapter for the firm, now based in a purpose-built, modern space on The Strand in Tauranga – future looking, with room to expand. Now that Rebecca and Michael’s children are three and four, they’re looking forward to returning to adventurous outdoor activities – cycling, hiking and water pursuits – and hopefully as time allows, travelling intrepidly with their young family.
Beyond the traditional
One year on, Law Collective is still shaking up Taurangaʼs legal scene with client-centred, team-driven personalised solutions.
One year on, Law Collective is still shaking up Taurangaʼs legal scene with client-centred, team-driven personalised solutions.
words NICKY ADAMS | photos RACHEL HADFIELD
Katrina Hulsebosch.
Unusually for a law firm, the Law Collective is not named after founding partner Katrina Hulsebosch. Whilst this may seem a subtle point of difference, it is in fact a significant one. In one simple gesture, Kat has surmised the kind of culture she wanted to create in her newly established commercial and property law company – a team of high-level experts all working together and complementing each other, the desire to go above and beyond, and with a vested interest in the client rather than the prestige of the name on the door.
Having just celebrated the Law Collectiveʼs first birthday, Kat is both quietly thrilled about how the year has played out, and excited for the next stage ahead. Offering everything from company and commercial law to property, wills, trust and estate law, the office sits in a convenient location in Tauranga.
When you walk through the door, the lack of formality of the open plan space combines with a warm welcoming vibe, together setting a tone of relaxed efficiency. A lack of pretension belies the wealth of expertise that is gathered under the Law Collective roof. Kat and the team have decades of industry experience; her personal resume includes formative years across all disciplines in boutique law firms in Hamilton before moving to Tauranga and joining Sharp Tudhope where she specialised, before progressing to Harris Tate. Alongside Kat are legal assistant Pip Mills, legal execs Andrea Lilley and Tash Gowthorpe, admin co-ordinator Melissa Boswell, and office administrator Loretta Sonego. Many of the team have worked together previously, so share an easy rhythm and work ethic.
Reflecting on the start point, Kat is clear as to her motivation. “I wanted to create something I was proud of here, that was truly client centred. All the decisions we made in setting this business up, right down to the legal practice software, were all based around client experience.” Kat believes that law as an entity is embracing a new era when it comes to how firms operate: crucially in relation to the client/lawyer dynamic.
As a forward-thinking company, Law Collective places significant emphasis on the personal connection with the client. As Kat points out: “I think you get more out of the relationship with the client, and you can then serve that person better, if theyʼre comfortable with you. So even the fit out of this office has been designed to put people at ease. It lends itself to having a more friendly, relatable relationship with our clients. And you then end up getting a lot more information as you talk. When the client trusts you, theyʼll tell you stuff that they donʼt even realise is important, and it can often change your advice to them.”
The client/lawyer ‘fitʼ is a concept that Kat returns to repeatedly, emphasising how important it is for the client. Despite having multiple overseas or out-of-town clients, when it comes to a new client Kat makes a point of always trying to meet in person: from there on, the file can be dealt with accordingly, although Kat will always stay involved.
“Clients are often surprised that when they call, when I can, I answer my own phone.” I wonder if the initial high-level interface might feel prohibitive to potential clients, however, Kat assures me that this is in fact a more cost-effective way of operating. “Often, I can get a lot out of a first meeting and from there direct it better, so itʼs more efficient for me to meet with the client in the first instance. I can then make sure theyʼre on the right path. After that, the girls will take over and Iʼll be included as much as they need me to be.”
Getting value for money is very important for Kat, “Weʼre very mindful of costs to clients.”
Being across each other’s workload harks back to the basic concept of being a collective team. As Kat explains: “The staff all operate together – we generally know what’s going on with each other’s files. We also see ourselves as a collective with the client and their other professional advisors, like accountants, bankers, financial advisors and real estate agents. The idea is that we’re all working for the client’s best interests – we’re all on the same page and collaborate together to deliver a better outcome for the client. From the start, I could see the advantage of truly being a wraparound service.” This all-encompassing attitude means that as a boutique firm operating in the commercial and property law space, should a law service outside of this arise, they can seek help from barristers who are the very best for the job from a large pool of external options.
As a team Law Collective is a well-oiled machine, each bringing something unique to the table. Pip, Kat’s legal assistant, ensures smooth communication between the team and clients; legal executives Andrea and Tash bring complementary skills – Andrea is known for being a whizz at complex legal matters, while Tash has a down-to-earth approach, her exceptional guidance making her beloved to clients. Melissa, as administrative co-ordinator, is the backbone of the company, taking charge of day-to-day operations; office administrator Loretta’s eye for detail and 20 years’ experience in law firms ensures smooth sailing is guaranteed for the whole team. Kat has no plans to expand into other disciplines, and while the next growth phase will see the addition of more solicitors, she is adamant about staying boutique. “Sticking with what we know we’re good at and where we can add value.”
Equally advantageous to a smaller environment is the ability to streamline processes to make them as efficient as possible. Kat’s motivation was also to create a law firm with a more modern outlook, which, when you look at the processes that have been initiated, from personal to administrative, it feels very like the company has hit its mark. But the most important target is one that has resoundingly been reached – a client-centric ethos – without a doubt, says Kat, “Clients know when you care.”
Quick fire with Kat
UNO: How would you recommend people choose the right lawyer for their business?
Kat: Choosing the right lawyer for your business starts with understanding your specific needs. Look for a lawyer who specialises in your industry or the particular area of law you need help with. Another key factor is responsiveness. Business moves quickly, so you need someone who can keep up, provide timely advice, and help you seize opportunities. Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of a good personality fit. Your lawyer should be someone you feel comfortable working with, who understands your business’s goals and culture, and can explain legal concepts in a way that’s clear and approachable.
When in a business transaction is a good time to engage a lawyer?
The earlier, the better. Engaging a lawyer at the start of a transaction can save you time, money, and stress down the line. A lawyer can help identify potential risks, clarify obligations, ensure the terms align with your goals, and your interests are protected.
What do you think is the right size firm – and is it important to be in the same city?
The ideal size of a law firm really depends on the needs of you or your business. Smaller boutique firms can offer personalised, tailored services, often with a high level of expertise and flexibility. As for location, it’s no longer as critical as it used to be. With modern communication tools, you can still get to know the client personally over regular video conferences. What added value do you offer? I believe our point of difference lies in the exceptional client service, efficiency, and genuine care we provide.
Blended family
Together Mackenzie Elvin and Tompkins Wake signify people, places and professionalism.
Together Mackenzie Elvin and Tompkins Wake signify people, places and professionalism.
Words Nicky Adams | Photos Salina Galvan
If it feels as though Tauranga already has access to some of the best legal representation in the country, then the recent merging of Mackenzie Elvin law firm, a family founded Tauranga-based practice, and Tompkins Wake, one of the largest national New Zealand law firms, has certainly upped the ante.
For Fiona Mackenzie, one of the founding partners of Mackenzie Elvin, the merger was part of a progression plan. Growth was inevitably on the cards, and Tompkins Wake presented at the perfect time. “We are a multi-generational firm and, in considering our future strategy, there were a number of options including continuing to grow as a mid-tier firm with all the pressures and complexities of modern legal practice, or we could look at developing alignments with practices that we respected and who operated according to values that mirrored ours. Tompkins Wake stood out,” says Fiona.
“It’s been an interesting year, an exciting year – we remain in our lovely iconic villa, which is part of our brand, but we are now Tompkins Wake. I view it a little bit like a marriage where you may change your name, but you don’t lose your identity; instead, you become something more than you were before.”
Jon Calder, Tompkins Wake chief executive, agrees that the synergy between the two companies is serendipitous. “We’ve had a presence in Tauranga since 2018 and have always been looking for opportunities to grow – the right, rather than any, opportunity – it became clear very quickly that the two firms had a strong alignment in terms of values,” Jon says.
There was more to the attraction than just culture – within Mackenzie Elvin, Jon identified “Ambition. The company was definitely ambitious to grow and offer a broader range of services to their clients. With the size and scale of Tompkins Wake, that’s something that we’re able to do.”
Indeed, the capacity of the united law firm is now enormous. Together Tompkins Wake is one of the top 10 law firms within New Zealand in terms of size and reputation. Across the board there are 35 partners, 125 lawyers and over 200 staff, with offices in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Tauranga.
The Family Law team is one close to the hearts of both firms. Fiona considers the practice intrinsic to the identity of the firm, and with the merger Fiona is confident at the breadth offered by the partners that include herself, Stephanie Ambler, Zandra Wackenier and Kate Sullivan. Each of them has not just extensive knowledge and experience, but also offers particular areas of expertise. As Fiona reflects, “Law is always developing and the practitioners I’m now working with are at the cutting edge.”
Fiona Mackenzie
The merger allows Fiona to move into her own space of mediation. “I take difficult relationship property situations, difficult blended family estate situations, and work with them in a mediation setting to explore resolution in a less adversarial but perhaps more enduring way.” With the addition of the other Family Law partners, “that now frees me up to develop mediation as a brand offering for the firm,” Fiona explains.
Stephanie Ambler
Stephanie, who operates from the Hamilton office, is head of Tompkins Wake’s family practice and was part of the inception of Family Law within Tompkins Wake. When Stephanie joined Tompkins Wake it was a different landscape. “I was the first family lawyer at Tompkins Wake. Ten years ago they didn’t have a family law practice when I joined, so it’s pretty phenomenal to see the growth of the family law team and it being embraced by a commercial firm.”
The opportunity to work alongside Fiona and her team is an exciting one, says Stephanie. “I first had dealings with Fiona Mackenzie about 20 years ago when she was on the other side of a file of mine when I was working in Auckland, and she was an impressive woman, so I was quite in awe and intimidated!”
Relationship property, Stephanie says, has been a huge growth area, so from her perspective the opportunity to expand Tompkins Wake’s presence in the Bay of Plenty with the acquisition of Mackenzie Elvin was golden. “It’s been a great fit for us – there was an existing team headed by Fiona, who has a fabulous reputation, and our values and cultures align very closely.”
Zandra Wackenier
Zandra, who is based in the Auckland office, acknowledges the footprint in Tauranga is advantageous. “To have people on the ground with a longstanding history and connection to the area is incredible,” she says. “From a family law perspective, it has grown our team and given us more highly experienced lawyers. It’s great having those different skills and personalities in the team.”
All striving to be experts in the field, the two firms are absolutely on the same page. With an additional unique area of expertise in reproductive law, Zandra gives access to a particularly niche and specialised aspect of family law. Indeed Fiona, Steph and Zandra are all recommended lawyers by the Doyle’s Guide, so referrals come through this way as well as word-of-mouth. However, Zandra explains that there is always careful consideration as to where a client is best suited, dependent on availability, complexity of the case, and capacity – because of the breadth of skill available, from junior solicitors to partners, there’s the ability to allocate clients appropriately.
Kate Sullivan
Kate, who works from Rotorua, echoes both Zandra and Stephanie when she notes that the local, client and market insight that comes from Mackenzie Elvin is essential, and the depth of this and strength of relationships with the community is invaluable. “The clients we have in Tauranga we now have a greater ability to look after because we’ve got the expertise and the local knowledge of Mackenzie Elvin people,” she says. “The partners really know their clients, they have a broad client base, and they know the market so well.”
Under the “family” umbrella there is a separate sub team, which is the estate and litigation team (rather than relationship property and family law), which Kate heads up and is expanding, particularly in the Bay of Plenty region. Kate sees this as a huge growth area across New Zealand: “There are lots of exciting changes happening in that space in the higher courts, lots of interesting decisions coming out, so it’s a great arena to work in and it’s changing, so it’s quite exciting.”
The scale of what is offered by the acquisition is impressive. As Jon Calder reflects, “We’ve got a deep expertise across all areas of practice, meaning we step up to another level. With the size of the firm, and the specialisations our people have, we rarely encounter a situation or a complex problem for a client that we haven’t seen before.” Crucially, “there’s an opportunity to bridge the gap for clients who are seeking expertise they perceive is not provided in the city, so rather than having to leave town it can be dealt with here in Tauranga.”
Moreover, the mechanics in place in terms of systems and technology are also reflective of a business of size – benefits that have not gone unnoticed by Fiona Mackenzie. “The ‘backroom heft’, as I call it, is extraordinary and offers huge benefits to our local community in terms of the quality and capacity of the legal services now available locally.”