Family Law / Legal Aid

Jill Forde (Associate) is our senior legal executive, and has been with us since 2006 and is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives. Jill previously worked in the banking industry, focusing on the lending area, for 16 years.

Jill works mainly in residential conveyancing and has extensive experience working with first home buyers and heads up our Conveyancing Team. Having worked in this area for a number of years Jill enjoys building a long-term relationship with her clients.

Jill is an independent councillor for the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives and is the Treasurer for the Institute. Jill assists in an advisory role on the local Canterbury Southern Districts Branch committee of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives. Jill has an interest in presenting at local schools promoting legal executives as a career choice.

Outside work Jill likes gardening, dining out, travelling with her partner and spending time with her two wonderful grandchildren.

Letitia leads our Legal Aid team and works in Family Law, which includes parenting, family violence, and Oranga Tamariki matters. Letitia is passionate about family law and strives to achieve the best outcomes for her clients. Letitia’s experience has been recognised by her inclusion on the court-appointed Lawyer for Child list.

She joined Linwood Law in 2017 after graduating from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Laws, and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Te Reo Maori. Letitia was admitted to the Bar in March 2016 and was appointed as an Associate on 1 April 2022.

Danielle is the Office Manager and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer here at Linwood Law and joined the team in March 2016 after completing her Certificate 5 in Business Management.

Danielle handles the general operations here at Linwood Law working alongside the Directors she coordinates our events, advertising and marketing, health and safety and also organises our charitable contributions to the local schools and community.

In her spare time Danielle enjoys cooking for her family, baking with her children and lots of camping holidays.

Aaron joined the Linwood Law team in February 2018 after completing a Bachelor of Law at the University of Canterbury in 2016. Aaron completed his professional studies in early 2017. He was admitted to the Bar in October 2017 and was appointed as an associate on 1 April 2023.

Aaron is part of the Legal Aid team and specialises in Family Law.

Barbara has over 35 years of experience working in a legal and administrative environment. Barbara assists with court documentation, telephone assistance, and administration throughout the office.

In her spare time, Barbara likes spending time with her family and knits for family and friends. A keen follower of the All Blacks Barbara also enjoys time-out in the garden, cooking, and baking.

Ginny joined Linwood Law in 2021 as our Trust Account Manager and also assists with Estate administration and distributions. Ginny’s previous Trust Account administration experience was with a firm in Dunedin and has over 10 Years’ experience in trust account administration and management.

Outside of work Ginny loves spending time with her kids and getting out on her horses.

Sarah joined the team in 2014 and has over 6 years’ experience in the property and conveyancing field.

Sarah is a part of our conveyancing team and is able to assist clients with property matters.

Out of the office Sarah is kept busy with her 2 young daughters.

Paulette Cavanagh (Director) graduated from Canterbury University before moving to Hawera, South Taranaki where she practised law for a number of years before returning to the South, to practice law in Ashburton. Having joined Linwood Law in 2016 as an Associate Paulette became a partner on 1 October 2017, her main area of practice is now commercial and property law however she is also able to assist in the field of trust and estate law.

Jerome Williamson (Director) has been in practice as a lawyer in Christchurch since February 1987. He has had a broad range of experience in property and commercial law as well as civil litigation, employment and education law. From 2000 to 2006, Jerome was a partner in a specialist immigration law firm.

In late 2006, he left to return to more general practice. Jerome maintains his interest in immigration law. He is a member of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment and was for three years a director of that organisation.

Alison King (Associate) graduated from Otago University in 1980 having been born and educated in Dunedin. Before joining Linwood Law in 2015 Alison had her own practice focusing on a wide variety Family Court work.

Alison’s main area of practice remains Family Law and acting in a wide variety of Family Court proceedings. Alison is also a Court appointed lawyer for child.

Vanessa is the Administration Assistant here at Linwood Law. She joined the team in November 2017 as our receptionist. Outside of work Vanessa loves spending time with her children and is kept busy with all of their afterschool activities.