Corporate

Wherever your company is at in its lifecycle, we have the corporate law experts to support you. Whether you’re looking to review structure, governance or compliance arrangements, or have new strategic, business or financial goals, the Ford Sumner team have the knowledge and experience to guide you through. 

We’re ready to meet your needs in:

• shareholder relationships
• company law
• governance
• directors’ duties
• mergers and acquisitions
• compliance

Corporate Specialists

• Sarah Churstain
• Mark Ford
• Jason Kelly
• Jordan Todd
• Fenella Smith

Recent Articles

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corporate articles.

Medico legal & health care law

We’ve represented clients in a wide range of medico legal and dispute resolution matters, as well as investigations and disciplinary proceedings. We have extensive knowledge around privacy and information, and health and safety.

Our clients range from medical practices and practitioners, to insurers and individuals. We know these matters can be sensitive; you can rely on us to act with discretion and care, whatever the matter or its complexity. Our team can support you in any aspect of medico-legal law.

Medico Legal & Health Care Law Specialists

• Sarah Churstain
• Jaesen Sumner
• Ruth Williams
• Caylee Wood
• Emily Gardiner
• Fenella Smith

Recent Articles

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Dispute resolution

With a focus on quality and a pragmatic approach, we deliver outstanding solutions by combining in-depth commercial knowledge with technical excellence.

Every case is unique, and we listen and respond appropriately. Litigation isn’t the only option; we’re highly experienced in mediation and arbitration, and will recommend the most appropriate approach for your requirements.

Our litigation team can support you with:

• litigation
• mediation
• preventing and resolving issues
• arbitration

Dispute Resolution Specialists

• Jaesen Sumner
• Ruth Williams
• Jordan Todd
• Caylee Wood
• Finn Hollingworth
• Emily Gardiner

Recent Articles

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Employment & HR

Whether you’re an employer or employee, when you want employment advice, you need approachable experts you can trust. Ford Sumner’s specialist employment team are genuine and relatable. With extensive experience in litigation and investigating grievances and incidents, we have a wealth of skills to support you.

Our team also provide workplace training on performance management and acceptable workplace behaviour, helping you to manage future risk and build safer workplaces.

Other areas we provide employment and HR advice include:

• individual employment agreements
• collective employment agreements
• restructures and redundancies
• procedures and advice for hiring, performance management, misconduct and dismissal
• general advice – holiday pay, Kiwisaver, etc
• health and safety compliance

Employment & HR Specialists

• Jaesen Sumner
• Ruth Williams
• Caylee Wood
• Finn Hollingworth
• Emily Gardiner

Recent Articles

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employment & HR articles.

Property & construction

In a constantly changing legislative environment, property and leasing can be challenging. Our senior property lawyers ensure they’re up-to-date with these changes and industry practice, so you can focus on other things. They actively work with you to identify the approach that best meets your needs for each transaction.

We work with you to establish your requirements, and identify the risks of your project. The last thing we want is issues escalating and disrupting work; together we identify and implement strategies to manage these.

Our expertise covers:

• buying or selling property assets
• leasing and property management
• licencing
• due diligence
• contracting and financing negotiations
• construction
• council and regulatory consents
• development

Property & Construction Specialists

• Sarah Churstain
• Mark Ford
• Jordan Todd
• Finn Hollingworth
• Maggie Knowles

Recent Articles

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Family Law

Our Family Law team is led by Senior Lawyer Ruth Williams, who has expert knowledge in multiple areas of Family Law. Ruth was previously a clerk to the Principal Family Court Judge, where she provided broad research, executive and legal support. She has an in-depth understanding of the “why” as well as the “how” to key areas of Family Law including Care of Children, Relationship Property, Child Protection, and Protection of Personal and Property Rights. Ruth has previously made numerous appearances in the Family Court representing the State in Child Protection proceedings.

Senior Lawyer Jordan Todd also has significant experience across a wide range of Family Law matters including Relationship Property (both contracting out agreements and resolution of disputes), Adoption, Guardianship, Partnership Visa applications and all aspects of Estate Planning. 

Partner Jaesen Sumner works with both Ruth and Jordan, bringing a broad knowledge and understanding of Family Law matters to the team, with particular expertise in Estate claims and disputes.

We assist clients through this delicate area of law by appreciating the bigger picture of family dynamics. We apply a careful and considered approach, take time to understand your unique situation, and focus on achieving fair, appropriate and expedient outcomes for our clients. 

More information

Family Law Specialists

• Jaesen Sumner
•  Ruth Williams

Recent Articles