The Smythes Law Team

Ron Thomson Partner. Ron specialises in trust law, property and business law, wills and estates. He graduated B.A. LL.B. from Victoria University. Until 1992 Ron was a partner in the Auckland office of Australasian law firm Phillips Fox. He then spent 10 years working in offshore financial centres, most recently in the Channel Islands, specialising in estate planning and trusts. Ron is an enthusiastic gardener and enjoys opera and theatre.

Erika Olsen Partner. Erika specialises in family law, property and business law. Erika graduated LLB from Otago University in 1990. For the past ten years, Erika successfully ran her own law practice in Northland before moving to Nelson in 2007. She has a keen interest in music and the performing arts.

Emma Marshall Solicitor. Emma specialises in trust law, wills and estates. She graduated B.A. LL.B. from Otago University in 1994 and practised in New Zealand for 3 1/2 years before spending three years contracting legal services in London, Bath and Bristol in the UK. In 2001 Emma moved to Switzerland and worked there for 5 1/2 years specialising in trusts, estate planning and the provision of corporate services in various offshore financial centres. During this time she completed a Diploma in International Trust Management gaining the designation of Trust and Estate Practitioner (T.E.P). Emma loves to mountain bike and experience the great outdoors, enjoys gardening and appreciates music and the arts.

(From top left)

Rhonwyn Knecht Registered Legal Executive. B. A. Hons, Grad. Dip. Rhonwyn joined Smythes Lawyers in 2004. She works with clients in all matters regarding the sale and purchase of residential homes, administering deceased estates, drafting wills and establishing family trusts. She is very much a people person and loves helping the lay person understand the process behind the work being done. She is a very active and keen tennis player and enjoys cycling and swimming.

Rachael Cooke Registered Legal Executive. Rachael works primarily in the area of residential conveyancing. She graduated with a B.Com Dip Grad from Otago University, following which she worked for a law firm and then a business broking firm in Christchurch before completing her legal executive qualifications. Rachael began work for Smythes in early 2004. She enjoys reading, walking, skiing and riding.

Janice Sumner Trust Manager. After being Office Manager in a family business for 20 years Janice started working at Smythes in 2005 as Trust Administrator and took over the role of Trust Manager at the end of 2008. She works alongside Emma Marshall and Ron Thomson and provides an efficient and caring administration service to all our clients. Janice's spare time is taken up enjoying grandchildren, gardening, walking and Tango and Ceroc dancing.

Leita McKellar Legal Executive. Leita was introduced to the legal environment when she returned from overseas and commenced employment with one of Wellington's larger firms as a commercial property manager for offshore clients who were commercial property investors. Whilst in Wellington Leita obtained the New Zealand Legal Executive Certificate qualifications and diversified into property, immigration, estates, trusts and estate planning fields of law.

Leita says that Wellington was an excellent introduction to law and a great experience but ultimately in 1995 Leita relocated to Nelson to enjoy some of the lifestyle that Nelson is famous for and has continued to work as a Legal Executive in Nelson during the last 15 years gaining extensive experience and knoweldge during that time.

Leita, and her partner Yuri are dedicated parents to two young children, keen gardeners, tired home renovators and continually balancing her love of travelling with his passion for sailing.

Pam Roberts Registered Legal Executive. Starting her career working as an office junior at a Nelson law firm, Pam worked her way through the ranks and in 1996 she found her niche and started practising as a Legal Executive, a role she enjoys immensely. She complted her Legal Executive qualifications whilst working on the job, achieving top mark in the Property Law Practice Exam.

Pam practices in the fields of residential and business conveyancing, estate planning and trusts.

In her spare time Pam indulges her passion for home renovation and building and can often be found working in her second job of builder's labourer or plotting and planning her dream garden. She also enjoys the wonderful Nelson area particularly the wineries, the walks and the beautiful Golden Bay.