OUR TEAM
Paul Broatch Director LLB (Hons)
Having 30 years legal experience in New Zealand and overseas, Paul specializes in property and commercial law, subdivisions, trusts, estates and asset protection.
Paul started his career with a major law firm in Auckland before moving to the Cook Islands for a year.
He then returned to New Zealand working for a Tauranga law firm for 14 years before joining Ross Abernethy to form Abernethy Broatch Law.
Paul was involved with the Otumoetai Soccer Club for many years serving in many roles including two terms as president.
He was also Chairman of Habitat for Humanity (Tauranga) Limited and a trustee of the FABS trust.
Areas of practice
- • Advising clients on residential, commercial and industrial property sales and purchases
- • Subdivisons
- • Leasing
- • Sale and purchase of closely held companies, shareholders agreements, financing and dispute resolution
- • Sale and purchase of businesses, structuring, financing, employment contracts and dispute resolution, as well as drafting contracts for commercial enterprise.
- • Asset protection for clients including the formation of family trusts, wills. Enduring Powers of attorney and estate planning
- • Advice for non-profit organisations, formation of charitable trusts, incorporated societies and clubs.
Contact:
paul@ablaw.co.nz
Terry McFetridge Director LLB (Hons)
I grew up in a rural farming community on the Hauraki Plains. I was heavily involved with sports as a younger man and represented New Zealand Rowing and played first class rugby for the Thames Valley “Swamp Foxes” 7’s and 15 aside teams. After completing my law degree, I worked for well-respected law firms in Tauranga, Te Puke and Tokoroa before joining the Abernethy Broatch team in 2019.
I look forward to working with clients to understand their goals and then applying pragmatic approaches to achieve success. The team approach and client focused culture at Abernethy Broatch Law sets us apart. Our size provides us and you with the benefit of working together from initial meeting, right through to successful conclusion.
I provide clients with advice in relation to commercial, residential and agricultural property transactions, commercial transactions including business purchases and sales, leasing and securities.
I was based full time in Te Puke, the heart of Kwiwfruit country, working on kiwifruit orchard sales and purchases, management agreements and licensing issues, for private owners and a number of Whanau Trust interests.
I get a great sense of satisfaction helping clients into their first homes, providing advice to protect hard earned assets and all aspects of elder law, including living at retirement villages, enduring powers of attorney and estate planning.
I try to spend as much time as possible with family, who are now all grown up and spread across the country. Every chance to get together is the time I treasure most. I enjoy fishing and experimental cooking with sea food, to make new concoctions and flavours. After my girls, my wife and Harley Davidson are my next loves, in that order!
My goal is to be a client focused practitioner, providing legal advice and solutions that clients can understand.
Contact:
terry@ablaw.co.nz
Ross Abernethy Consultant LLB
Ross Abernethy shifted to Mount Maunganui from Wellington in 1981 after getting his initial grounding in law with a prestigious law firm.
Until 1995 he was a Partner in a medium sized Tauranga law firm in which he specialized in commercial and property law.
In 1995 he and his Legal Executive, Angela Morse, set up Ross Abernethy Law Office which became well regarded for its efficiency and courteous service.
Ross is married with four children. He has been actively involved in a number of different community and church organisations and was a founding (and long-term) trustee of the Christian Education Trust which established Bethlehem College in Tauranga. His interest in helping others has taken he, and his wife, Kay, to Mongolia to help establish Micro Enterprise Developments in that country.
Ross and Kay both have a passion for motorcycles and can think of nothing better than riding on the back roads with a group of fellow riders to enjoy the hauntingly beautiful New Zealand landscape and meet its interesting people.
Areas of Practice
• Advising clients on residential, commercial and industrial property sales and purchases
• Leasing of commercial and industrial properties, rent reviews, renewals, variations, dispute resolution and enforcement.
• Sale and purchase of closely held companies, shareholders agreements, financing and dispute resolution
• Sale and purchase of businesses, structuring, financing, employment contracts and dispute resolution, as well as drafting contracts for commercial enterprise.
• Asset protection for clients including the formation of family trusts, wills. Enduring Powers of attorney and estate planning
• Advice for non-profit organisations, formation of charitable trusts, incorporated societies and clubs.
Contact:
ross@ablaw.co.nz
Dave Gray Consultant LLB
Dave has been over 60 years in the law – three years as a Law Clerk while completing his degree at the University
of Auckland and as Principal in three firms since qualifying in 1964.
All his post admission experience has been in the Bay of Plenty – six years as a Partner practising in Waihi and
Katikati, 31 years in Whakatane as a Principal in Osborne Gray & Partners and 20 years In Butler Gray Law Office
at the Mount. The practice of Butler Gray Law Office has now merged with Abernethy Broatch Law and Dave is a
Consultant in the merged firm. He is married to Diane and has had the great pleasure of working with her in the
law for the last 50 years.
Dave is a keen follower of sport – particularly rugby and cricket – and has a great interest in musical theatre both
on stage and off stage, being a life member of Theatre Whakatane and currently the patron of Tauranga Musical
Theatre.
He has been involved as Advisor and Honorary Solicitor for a great number of sports and charitable bodies over
the years and is currently the Secretary of the Bay of Plenty Masonic Charitable Trust Board.
Dave has served on the Councils of both the Auckland District Law Society and the Waikato Bay of Plenty District
Law Society and is a member of the Property Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society.
Areas of Practice
General conveyancing, commercial, Trust and estate work but with considerable experience in acting for dairy
farmers and dealing with the sales, purchases and subdivisions of rural properties.
Contact: dave@ablaw.co.nz
Garry Chapman Special Counsel LLM (Hons), LLB, MBA
Prior to practicing law, Garry spent nearly two decades immersed in the real estate industry. In 2014 he was appointed to a Real Estate Authority Complaints Assessment Committee, serving the last four years as Chairperson. His statutory appointment ended in December 2019.
Garry is married with four children and has lived in Mount Maunganui all his adult life. Garry is a life member of the Mount Maunganui Amateur Swimming Club and has a long association with the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service as patrolling member, competitor and proud parent. Garry still swims and occasionally paddles his ski or board and even surfs when conditions are perfect. Garry and his wife Helen especially love spending time with family.
Garry studied at University of Waikato and at University of Auckland and was admitted to the bar in 2012.
Garry represents clients throughout New Zealand.
Areas of practice
Advising and acting for individual real estate agents, and small and large real estate agencies for general compliance advice and training
Advising and acting for real estate agents and agencies subject to the Real Estate Authority complaints process
Advising and acting for real estate consumer clients (vendors, purchasers or prospective purchasers)
Drafting real estate agency policies and guidelines and practical training on good decision-making and statutory processes
Commission disputes for real estate agent and vendor clients
Expert witness for real estate matters
Civil litigation including filing proceedings in the Disputes Tribunal
Contact: garry@ablaw.co.nz
Kimberley Pepper LLB, (DIPGRAD) MART, BA
Kimberley practises in residential and commercial property transactions including, refinancing, licences to occupy and relationship property agreements. Kimberley assists clients with asset planning including forming trusts, preparing enduring powers of attorney, wills and general succession planning arrangements to ensure her client’s assets are protected.
Kimberley has a special interest in Trust Law and provides advice on all aspects of trusts to ensure that trusts are structured and managed in a way which protects assets and are fit for purpose.
Significant changes have been made to New Zealand trust law with the introduction of the Trusts Act 2019 (“the Act”). It is accordingly important to consider whether your trust is still needed and if so, that it complies with the new trust laws.
Kimberley can assist with:
• the establishment and administration of trusts
• resettlement of trusts
• Winding up Trusts
• Ensuring that your trust remains legally compliant
Originally from the South Waikato, Kimberley was determined to achieve her goal of becoming a lawyer completing her law degree at Waikato University while she raised her six children. While studying, she gained practical experience in the law field volunteering as a case worker at Waikato Community Law and later working part time as a legal assistant in Hamilton. More recently she has practised in the Papamoa area and now feels very privileged to be working for Abernethy Broatch Law.
Kimberley is proactive, responsive and provides excellent advice. Kimberley’s clients value her easy-going nature and her ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships. She enjoys the legal profession and has a keen interest in supporting people.
Kimberley is never far from the ocean and loves living in Papamoa. She enjoys snorkelling, fishing, skiing, exploring the great outdoors as well as spending time with family and friends.
Contact:
kimberley@ablaw.co.nz
Amy Grattan Legal Executive
Born and raised in the small Waikato town of Te Aroha, Amy moved to Mount Maunganui in 1991.
After concentrating on her daughter during her pre-school years, Amy decided to join the work force as a
receptionist for Peter Butler Law Office.
When Dave Gray bought the practice from Peter, Amy stayed on as the receptionist and also started her
studies to become a Legal Executive, qualifying in 2005.
Amy took a year off to raise her second daughter and came back to become one of Dave’s Legal Executives
as well as his PA. She works closely with both Dave and Rachelle to ensure that client requests and needs
are dealt with quickly and efficiently. She loves dealing with clients, both old and new and is only too happy
to assist them where possible.
When she is not working Amy enjoys spending time with her two daughters, her menagerie of pets and
studying towards her Diploma in Psychology and Counselling.
Contact: amy@ablaw.co.nz
Rachelle Mayer Legal Executive
I started my career as a Court Typist for the Ministry of Justice straight out of College and at the same time
commenced my studies to become a qualified Legal Executive.
When my husband had a change of jobs, which included working in a different town, I was lucky enough to
become Dave Gray’s secretary in Whakatane.
After 2 ½ years of commuting, I made the sad decision to resign my position and return to working in
Tauranga. However, fate would intervene and a few short months later Dave had shifted to the Mount and
was the owner of Butler Gray Law Office. I had the opportunity to work with Dave again, but this time as his
Legal Executive. Nearly 23 years after starting work with Dave, I still enjoy the variety my job brings.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, two sons and the family dog. I also enjoy
continuing my Martial Arts training (having obtained my black belt at the end of 2020) and socialising with
friends.
Areas of practice
I mainly deals with residential conveyancing and estate work. I also assist Dave Gray with Farm Sales and
Purchases as well as providing legal services in relation to wills and renewals/variations of Lease.
Contact: rachelle@ablaw.co.nz
Angela Morse Legal Executive
Angela Morse has worked as Legal Executive to Ross Abernethy since 1987 including a period of 12 years in which she managed the busy sole practitioner’s office prior to it merging into Abernethy Broatch Law. Angela is highly regarded by lawyers and clients alike for her competency in looking after property and commercial transactions and always with the clients’ needs being put to the forefront. Clients always speak well of Angela’s unflappable good humour and ability to deal with any issues as they arise. Apart from looking after a busy legal practice, Angela and her husband delight in their little girl who has them both completely wrapped around her little finger.
Areas of Practice
Advising clients on residential and investment property sales and purchases, structuring, financing, and leasing. She also provides dedicated legal services such as the leasing of commercial and industrial properties, rent reviews, renewals, variations, dispute resolution and enforcement. She also provides assets protection for clients including the formation of family trusts, wills and estate planning.
Contact:
angela@ablaw.co.nz
Shelley Wallace Legal Executive
Shelley Wallace comes to the firm from Palmerston North. She is a qualified Legal Executive having completed her certificate in March 2000. She has over 20 years legal experience predominantly in residential conveyancing transactions.
Being born and bred in the Manawatu, Shelley and her husband sold up and moved their 2 children to sunny Papamoa for a beachy lifestyle. Shelley works part time hours and is happy to assist you with any queries you may have.
Areas of practice
Shelley advises clients on residential and investment property sales and purchases, structuring and financing. She can also assist you with formation of family trusts, wills and estate planning.
Contact: shelley@ablaw.co.nz
Diane Gray
Diane has worked in Legal offices since leaving school, filling many roles. For the past 20 years has been the Practice Manager for Butler Gray Law Office, which she has really enjoyed, working with Dave to build up a thriving and successful practice. That job included a very wide range of tasks, clients being to the forefront always.
Before shifting to Mount Maunganui, Diane and Dave lived at Ohope for 27 years, then moving to the Mount, continuing the coastal/beach life, having spent the major part of their lives in the Bay.
Butler Gray Law Office has now merged with Abernethy Broatch Law and joined their happy and experienced team.
Diane's interests include family, musical theatre, reading, cooking/food and gardening.
Contact: diane@ablaw.co.nz
