Obituary: Robert Davidson 1951-2020

The prominent Christchurch employment and immigration lawyer Rob Davidson has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 69. Mr Davidson was regarded as a big character and a prominent member of the local legal profession, but had a tough upbringing, leading to him becoming a “right tearaway” and…

Sir Edward Denis Blundell GCMG GCVO KBE QSO, 1907 – 1984

The first New Zealand resident to be appointed Governor-General, Sir Denis spent 32 years as a partner in a large law firm and ended his legal career as President of the New Zealand Law Society. He also served a term as High Commissioner for New Zealand in Britain. He was born…

Lawrence Henry Southwick QC, 1916 - 1999

Laurie Southwick was the 17th elected President of the New Zealand Law Society. An expert litigator, during the 1970s he became one of the first specialists in the emerging field of planning law. Born in Fairlie in 1916, Laurie Southwick attended Rotorua High School and graduated LLB at Auckland University in…

Percy Valentine Storkey VC, 1893 - 1969

Born in Napier, Storkey attended Napier Boys’ High School where he excelled academically and in rifle shooting, cricket and swimming. He was Dux in 1910 and won the national Navy League essay prize with “Why Britain must command the Sea”, but moved to Sydney in January 1912 after studying English…

Andrew Colin Craig Hooker, 1963 - 2020

Andrew Hooker Prominent Auckland barrister and solicitor Andrew Hooker died after a motorcycle accident in northern New South Wales on 11 March. He was aged 56. The managing partner of Shine Lawyers, where Andrew was a consultant, Angela Parlane, says Andrew Hooker was regarded as a guru in insurance law and standing…

John (Jock) Wynter Blathwayt, 1940 - 2020

Jock Wynter Blathwayt Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt was a household name in the Wairarapa legal community. He practised law for nearly 60 years, working at the coalface of criminal law. He represented people that many would feel uneasy about doing but that was his job. He did it with passion and defended…

Daniel Alexander Winfield, 1973 - 2020

Daniel Winfield Wellington-based Duncan Cotterill partner Dan Winfield who died on 17 January will be remembered as a man with a great sense of humour who excelled as a lawyer, but strongly believed family came first when it came to managing the demands of his busy legal career. It’s never easy to…

Anthony (Tony) David Ford QSO, 1942 - 2020

Judge Ford A former Chief Justice of the Kingdom of Tonga and Judge of the Employment Court of New Zealand, Tony Ford died in Wellington on 31 January 2020. He was aged 77. An influential  reformer in the Tongan courts, a kind and patient Employment Court judge, he was a man whose…

Wayne Seymour Chapman, 1944 - 2020

To the many staff at Buddle Findlay, lawyer Wayne Chapman who died on 27 January after a short illness was a colossal personality. He’ll be remembered not just for his legal skills but also for his immense connection with people. Wayne Chapman was 75 years old and a property law consultant…

Judge Robert Graeme (Rob) Ronayne, 1955 - 2020

Judge Rob Ronayne District Court Judge Rob Ronayne will be remembered as a fair and empathetic man who tirelessly served the legal profession for over 40 years. Judge Ronayne died suddenly at his Auckland home on 7 January. He was 64 years old. In paying tribute to him, Chief District Court Judge Heemi…