Partner

Charlene Benson

Charlene is a Partner in our trust, estates and private client team. 

Charlene specialises in property (residential, rural and commercial), trust and estate planning, deceased estates and elder care (wills, enduring powers of attorney and retirement villages).

Charlene believes helping clients find solutions to their legal issues is the most rewarding part of being a lawyer. It is important to her that clients are empowered throughout this process to be actively engaged in achieving outcomes. Clients must feel they are part of the process, part of the solution and have been listened to.

It is important to work closely with other key advisors to ensure they are all striving for the same goals for their client.

Delivering a high level of client service is critical and Charlene likes to build rapport with clients to help her fully understand who they are and what motivates them. Charlene is a lawyer who is approachable, thoughtful, respectful and tenacious.

Charlene keeps her clients informed of progress and answers any questions that they may have, ensuring clients have certainty they can rely on her.

Outside of work, Charlene loves spending time with her husband Philip and two gorgeous adult daughters. They have a small lifestyle property which they enjoy looking after when they are not walking, boating, skiing, travelling or spending time with family and friends.

  • New Zealand Law Society

Legal Secretary
Margy McEnaney
Legal Secretary

Margy is a legal secretary who provides assistance to the trust administration, estates, and property teams. Her approach to client interactions is rooted in mindful communication, emphasising both attentive listening and clear conversation.

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Margy McEnaney
Registered Legal Executive
Sara Jemmett
Registered Legal Executive

Sara is a Registered Legal Executive who specialises in trust and estate administration, estate planning, elder care (including wills, enduring powers of attorney, and retirement village occupation agreements), residential conveyancing, and various commercial matters.

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Sara Jemmett
Associate
Ruperte Dobson
Associate

Ruperte is an Associate whose primary areas of practice are estate administration, estate planning and trust administration.

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Ruperte Dobson
Law Clerk
Vicky Pankhurst
Law Clerk

Vicky works in the private client team, with a focus on trust and estate administration, estate planning, wills and enduring powers of attorney.

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Vicky Pankhurst
Estate Administrator
Frances Cattermole
Estate Administrator

Frances primarily focuses on administering estates and preparing legal documents, including wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney.

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Frances Cattermole