The Annual Property Law Conference 2027 (Livestream)

Dave is a commercial mediator, construction litigator and academic who is completing his PhD at AUT. The topic of his research is “Are claims in negligence for pure economic loss an appropriate and effective mechanism to address defective buildings, or is there a better approach?”. Dave has represented local councils, construction parties, building owners and body corporates on many building defect claims, and regularly advises parties on aspects of New Zealand’s building regulation regime.

Kate has more than 10 years’ experience advising clients on property, commercial and business matters. Her practice includes complex property transactions, commercial acquisitions, subdivisions, leasing, shareholder arrangements and business structuring. Kate is known for her practical, solutions-focused approach and for helping clients navigate difficult transactions and disputes with clarity. She acts for a broad range of investors, developers, business owners and private clients throughout Auckland and across New Zealand.

Helen has extensive experience in construction and property disputes. She began her career acting mostly for plaintiffs in leaky building claims and has since developed a broader practice spanning construction law, unit titles law and civil litigation.

Helen is a key member of the Lane Neave team recognised in the Doyle’s Guide in 2025 and 2026 for construction disputes. Her clients include property owners, principals, head contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.

Helen is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese.

Thomas is a specialist property and land development lawyer. His work traverses unit titles, expert opinions, technical easement and covenant advice, resource consent and plan change matters, the Public Works Act, infrastructure agreements, and local government issues. He has presented seminars at academic and industry-based conferences in New Zealand and overseas, and wrote a series of articles on the 10th edition of the ADLS/REINZ Agreement for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate for LawTalk. He is the author of Unit Titles Law & Practice and A Practical Guide to the Land Transfer Act and co-author of Subdivisions Law and Practice, and has written various journal articles. Thomas has provided expert evidence in the High Court on land development matters, and also serves on a number of boards and committees.

Tina is a Director of Queen City Law and is the leader of its Property and Disputes Team. She is Convenor of TLANZ’s Property Law Committee and sits on the Property Disputes Committee and Civil Litigation Committee. She specialises in property, construction, and litigation and is frequently in court while advocating sensible settlement options for clients wherever possible. 

James is a litigation partner at Dentons and leads the firm's restructuring and insolvency team. He is ranked by Chambers Asia Pacific, Legal 500 and IFLR1000. James brings many years of experience to his work, and has been involved in some of New Zealand’s highest-profile insolvency cases. James advises both finance and trade creditors, and insolvency practitioners who are appointed to help rescue a failing business. He works closely with bankers, legal counsel, CFOs and CEOs on a range of restructuring and insolvency issues.

John specialises in civil litigation, with a focus on professional liability, construction disputes, and defective building claims. He has extensive experience acting in High Court and District Court proceedings, as well as in various tribunals. John advises and represents developers, head contractors, subcontractors, consultants, bodies corporate, and local authorities in a broad range of construction disputes. He also acts in liability claims for insurers and a wide range of professionals, including real estate agents, engineers, architects, solicitors, property managers, business brokers and other professionals.   

Joanna is a property law expert, Past President of ADLS (TLANZ), Convenor of TLANZ’s Property Law Committee and a member (and former Convenor) of its Documents and Precedents Committee. She is also a member of NZLS’ Land Titles Committee. She often makes determinations under the ASPRE when there are disputes, is a past Chair of TLANZ’s Property Disputes Committee and gives expert evidence in Courts and Tribunals on a wide range of property matters. Joanna is a member of SCA (NZ) and BCCG, chaired the Unit Titles Working Group, and provides expert advice in the unit titles area.

Rex has held the role of Deputy Principal Tenancy Adjudicator since July 2020. He leads the Tribunal’s unit titles jurisdiction. Rex has worked as a full-time adjudicator since 2007, having adjudicated or mediated disputes in the tenancy, unit titles, consumer, ACC and commercial jurisdictions. He holds qualifications in both law and healthcare. Rex holds a Master of Laws and a practising certificate as a barrister.

Sarah joined Grimshaw & Co in 2018 and is now a Partner. She has provided advice to bodies corporate, individuals, and companies in respect of various civil disputes including multi-million dollar building defects claims, insurance disputes, and unit titles disputes. Sarah also assists clients navigate public works acquisitions and dealings with local authorities in respect of property categorisation following significant weather events. She has appeared in the High Court, Weathertight Homes Tribunal, Waitangi Tribunal, Māori Land Court, and Māori Appellate Court and also assists clients in resolving disputes through negotiation and mediation.

Tony joined the Wellington office of Gibson Sheat as a partner in March 2021, after 24 years with Mortlock McCormack Law in Christchurch. He practises in the areas of commercial and property law, with an emphasis on Crown property work, commercial leasing, and employment law. Tony was appointed as a Notary Public in 2009.