Angus John Brockway Rogers LLB TEP AIF ®
Partner
Angus is a founding partner of the firm which started 1 July 2006 when he was joined in partnership by Steve Rutherford. Prior to that Angus was a sole practitioner for 16 years after being a partner in a small city firm for about 15 years. He qualified as a lawyer in 1972.
Angus's main area of expertise is advising private clients on estate and asset management planning and trusts, and providing commercial advice. He is a member (TEP) of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) which is an international organisation based in the UK , and is an accredited investment fiduciary (AIF ®) from the University of Pittsburgh.
With the growth of the firm he is increasingly focusing on providing planning advice to clients, particularly dealing with intergenerational issues and long term estate and succession planning. As well as that work he has undertaken a number of sales and purchases of business, joint ventures, commercial negotiations, leases and general property work. He is a director of a client finance company.
In his lengthy career he has developed skills in dealing with and understanding client needs, interpreting them and providing effective practical and cost effective solutions.
Contact him on:
| Direct dial: | + 64 9 970 2751 |
| Mobile: | 0274 957 665 |
| send e-mail | |
Steve Rutherford LLB (Hons)
Partner
Steve has been practising as a lawyer since 1985 and has experience in law, business and property. He has acted on every type of property transaction, in particular for developers of new industrial, commercial and retail projects around New Zealand. He is also experienced in large property portfolio acquisition and management.
Steve has a strong background in banking and finance, including new loan origination and mortgagee sale collection work.
Steve has a particular interest in franchising; licensing and distribution, and acts for several franchisors, exporters and importers. He acts for New Zealand clients conducting business in Australia and in the United States, and is familiar with law and business practices in those countries.
Steve is a clear and logical thinker, and his clients observe that he is able to combine technical legal expertise with sound business judgment. Steve likes to understand his clients' businesses and needs, and endeavours to add value beyond a purely legal role.
Steve has a passion for IT, and is involved in projects intended to make legal practice and client communication more efficient, including document automation and electronic file management.
Steve also supervises the firm's residential property practice.
Steve is a partner in the firm, and can be contacted at any time in relation to any aspect of your legal needs.
Contact him on:
| Direct dial: | +64 9 970 2750 |
| Mobile: | 021 724 074 |
| send e-mail | |
Sarah-Jane Lawson BCom, LLB (Hons)
Associate
Sarah-Jane has been practising as a lawyer since 2004 and has experience in mergers and acquisitions, general commercial and sales and marketing law.
Sarah-Jane started with Rogers & Rutherford in September 2011. Prior to joining the firm Sarah-Jane had been a senior solicitor at one of New Zealand’s largest law firms acting for a wide range of clients including listed and private companies based in New Zealand and overseas, and more recently was employed as a legal counsel at Coca-Cola Amatil. Sarah-Jane also volunteers at a local community law centre which has given her experience in dealing with unique issues that may not arise in the usual course of commercial matters, but nonetheless require providing advice on complex legal principles in an easy to understand manner.
Sarah-Jane enjoys working with clients on their transactions and endeavours to provide timely advice and assistance that is specific to our clients’ needs. As an associate of the firm, Sarah-Jane can be contacted at any time in relation to any aspect of your legal needs.
Contact Sarah-Jane on:
| Direct dial: | + 64 9 970 2754 |
| Mobile: | 021 710 897 |
| send e-mail | |
Bruce Galloway LLB
Consultant
Bruce was admitted to the bar in 1972. His areas of legal practice have included and include local government (infrastructure, reserves, public works, resource management, subdivision, land development and related issues), commercial property (acquisitions, disposals and leasing) and residential property (acquisitions, disposals), subdivisions and developments for clients, estate planning, estate administration and related advice.
Bruce also has considerable experience in fisheries law, particularly non-commercial interests, marine protection (including marine reserves and customary management mechanisms and tools, and the recent law relating to the regulation of legal practice by lawyers.
Bruce was previously a partner in two large Auckland law firms and now practices law as a consultant with Rogers & Rutherford.
Contact Bruce on:
| Direct dial: | + 64 9 970 2755 |
| send e-mail | |
Judith Spells BA (Hons) University of London, TEP®
Consultant
Judith was admitted as a lawyer in England and Wales in 1981 and has specialised in advising on trust and tax law ever since. Prior to moving to New Zealand in 2002, Judith was a partner in the London firm of Davenport Lyons and headed up the tax/trusts team there. Since arriving in New Zealand and being admitted here in 2003 (and in New South Wales in 2005), Judith has practised as a senior solicitor in the Inland Revenue Department, as a tax manager of one of the "big four" accounting firms in Auckland, and as a special counsel in one of Auckland’s large law firms.
Judith has a depth of expertise in advising on trusts and estate planning and dealing with complex deceased estate matters. Judith's awareness and experience of the international trust field is of value when planning individual or corporate structures. Her contacts in the international tax and trust field enable Judith to source thorough advice to be given in every detail of both tax planning and trust structures and cross border disputes in those areas.
Judith is a member of STEP NZ Branch (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) which is an international organisation based in the UK, International Fiscal Association, and remains of the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales and is also a life member of the Law Society there.
Judith enjoys working with people and getting to understand their issues and assisting them to effectively work through them in a tax efficient and timely way.
Contact Judith on:
| Direct dial: | + 64 9 970 2757 |
| send e-mail | |
Debbie-Ann Wendelborn
Legal Executive
Registered Associate Member: New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives
Debbie first started working for Angus Rogers as a secretary in 1997 and has continued working with the firm from 1 July 2006 when Angus Rogers and Steve Rutherford joined together in partnership. While working with Angus she studied to become a legal executive and qualified as an NZLS Legal Executive in 2001.
Debbie's area of expertise is in estate planning including working alongside Angus Rogers in preparing trust documentation and wills and also assisting clients in managing their trusts. Debbie also manages the administration of deceased estates.
Debbie also assists in the management and administration of the office including trust account management and computer support for the office.
Debbie has developed skills in the trust and estate planning field and now has a number of years experience in drafting trust documents and wills. Debbie enjoys helping clients to manage their affairs and working through their needs and wishes for the future and then assisting clients to attain their goals.
Contact Debbie on:
| Direct dial: | + 64 9 970 2752 |
| send e-mail | |
Susan Bourdot
Legal Executive
Registered Affiliate Member: New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives
Susan has worked as a legal secretary and legal executive since 1973, gaining her legal executive qualification in 1978. Susan started with the firm in April 2010 after a long association with one of New Zealand’s largest law firms.
Susan's area of expertise is residential conveyancing, and she also assists others in the firm with commercial property and a wide range of other work. Susan is appreciated by clients and colleagues both for her friendly and co-operative attitude and for her efficient and no-nonsense approach to the job in hand.
Contact Susan on:
| Direct dial: | + 64 9 970 2753 |
| send e-mail | |