Our people

Leona lectures for the College of Law in their LLB Masters programme in family law practice management. She is a co-author of “Relationship Property and Adult Maintenance” published by Thomson Reuters and has previously authored for Westlaw in the area of spousal maintenance. Leona has lectured for Whitireia Polytech in family law and has also presented seminars for Legalwise in relation to capacity and the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act. Leona is also a member of the New Zealand Law Society Courts Committee and Early Resolution Complaints Committee and a member of both the New Zealand Family Law Section and the Wellington Family Courts Association.

Leona has a focus on cost effective resolution for clients, which ideally preserves relationships and enables clients to move forward from stressful situations.

She presents seminars for NZCLE and Legalwise on a range of family law matters, particularly relationship property and the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act.

Helen often acts in complex relationship property matters, including matters involving trusts, companies and economic disparity and maintenance claims.

Helen takes appointments from the Family Court to represent children in the Family Court, and also people who lack capacity in applications for welfare guardians and property managers.

Helen is a member of the New Zealand Family Law Section and the Wellington Family Courts Association.

Helen has supported the Wellington Community Law Centre by providing advice to the staff and clients of the Centre and by providing advice at the Family Law Advice Sessions on Wednesdays. She has had involvement with the Community Law Centres in first Taranaki (where she sat on the Board of Trustees) and in Wellington for over 18 years.

Helen graduated from Otago University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Laws and from Brunel University of London in 2003 with a Master of Law in Child Law and Policy (with distinction). From 2003 she worked in firms in Taranaki specialising in family law before joining McWilliam Rennie in 2014.

Helen has a focus on practical advice and resolution of disputes without the need for court involvement where possible. However she is also an experienced litigator and provides effective representation in court when required.

Sarah joined McWilliam Rennie Lawyers in 2011.  She practices in all aspects of family law including separation, relationship property, contracting out agreements, childcare, and family violence. She has been approved by the Family Court to represent children and as counsel to assist the Court. Alongside her family law work, Sarah also practices in criminal law with PAL 1 and PAL 2 Legal Aid provider status. Sarah has been appointed by the District Court as a Youth Advocate representing young people in the Youth Court. Sarah is a regular presenter for the NZLS CLE Introduction to Family Law Advocacy and Practice course and she is member of the Wellington Family Courts Association.

Emma has more than 20 years’ experience in all areas of family law, including relationship property, contracting out agreements, care of children, PPPR, adoption, family violence, and Oranga Tamariki matters. She also receives Court appointments in her role as Lawyer for Child, a role she particularly enjoys. Emma has a background in general practice and has a sound understanding of trusts, property and business matters, which she draws on to assist clients. She is skilled in dealing with complex relationship property matters.

Emma is proud to be one of only a few lawyers in New Zealand registered as users of New Zealand Sign Language, having started to learn sign as a young child, and then studied NZSL while at university. She is uniquely able to assist Deaf clients and values accessibility to the law for all people.

Emma is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Society, and the Wellington Family Courts Association.

Sara joined McWilliam Tyree in 2023 as an Associate.  She practices in all areas of Family Law and takes appointments from the Family Court as Lawyer for Child. Sara also presents at Parenting through Separation and is a member of the Family Court’s Association.

Sara is available to take clients in Wellington and Hawkes Bay.

Harriet graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2019 with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in development studies and minoring in French and German.  She joined McWilliam Tyree in March 2022, having previously worked in a litigation firm in Lower Hutt since 2019.

Vince’s prior experience includes work involving relationship property, wills and Family Court litigation.  Vince advises in all areas of family law and has a particular interest in complex property cases and matters involving children.  Vince enjoys basketball, American Football, and collecting sneakers.

Ella joined McWilliam Tyree in August 2023 as a law clerk and was admitted to the Bar in June 2024. Ella is involved in all areas of famiy law.

Jenny is originally from the UK, moving to New Zealand in 2009. She has over 20 years experience working in law firms, in both legal executive and administration roles. She joined McWilliam Rennie in 2017.