John Unsworth

Partner LLB

John was born in Clyde, grew up in Blenheim and obtained his law degree from Canterbury University in 1984.

John joined Horsley Christie Brown & Co in 1984 and practised in conveyancing and property law before joining the litigation team in 1986.  John joined the partnership of Horsley Christie in 1991.

He now specialises in employment disputes, relationship property, trust and family estate claims, civil and insurance litigation, Maori land law, medico-legal issues, Coroners inquests and commercial litigation.

John regularly appears in the District, Family and High Courts, as well as the Maori Land Court and Employment Relations Authority. He has conducted many employment mediations.

John is a former Vice President of the New Zealand Law Society and President of the Whanganui Branch of the NZLS.

Other current roles:

• Chair Sport Whanganui
• Chair Whanganui Automobile Association
• Chair Whanganui Hospice Foundation
• Chair Whanganui Boys and Girls Gym Club Trust

Outside the law, John enjoys friends, coffee, walking, road cycling, mountain biking, the gym and watching all sport.

Peter Brown

Partner LLB

Peter graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 1984.

Peter is solution orientated, honest, and reliable who believes in doing a job properly or not doing it at all.

Peter is an outdoors man who enjoys mountain biking, skiing, tramping, fishing and hunting.

Sarah Brown

Partner LLB, BA, NZLSFamMed

Sarah graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2006, joining the Litigation Team at Horsley Christie that same year.

Sarah, born in Whanganui, is determined, conscientious and practical. She particularly enjoys working with families to help them to resolve disputes in an efficient, practical and child focused way.

Sarah is an accredited member of the New Zealand Law Society Panel of Mediators and approved Family Disputes Resolution Provider. She is also on the Panel of Lawyers to represent children appointed by the Family Court.

Other positions Sarah holds are,  as a Trustee on the Hospice Whanganui Board of Trustees, the St Laurences Social Services Trust Board and a Council Member of the New Zealand Law Society (Whanganui) Branch.

When not at the office, Sarah takes pleasure in spending time with family and friends, music and travel.

Tim Oliver

Associate BProp LLB (hons)

Tim graduated from the University of Auckland in 2007.  Tim began his career in Auckland and moved to Whanganui (his wife’s hometown) in 2020, which is also when he joined the team at Horsley Christie.

Tim enjoys helping his clients to reach the most successful outcomes possible by providing them with insightful, practical advice.  He is both professional and approachable.

Tim specialises in commercial, property and employment law.  He has particular expertise with all legal aspects of the acquisition and disposal of significant business assets.  He is experienced in drafting legal contracts and regularly advises commercial landlords and property developers.

Tim is married and has two daughters.  Outside the law, Tim enjoys cricket, football and golf.

Jai Stephens

Associate

Jai was born and raised in Whanganui, graduating from Canterbury University in 2015.

He began his legal career with Horsley Christie in April 2017 before spending time at a Wellington firm where he specialised in property and trusts.

Relishing being home in Whanganui, Jai is looking forward to helping both previous and new clients with his approachable manner. Jai specialises in providing simple advice on complicated legal matters to make things easily understood and accessible.

Away from the office Jai enjoys spending time with family and friends, football in the Winter months and a bit of golf in Summer.

Joamari Van Der Walt

Solicitor

Joamari is an admitted South African lawyer with further admittance in Singapore.  She obtained her double Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Law from the University of Stellenbosch and the University of South Africa. She practiced with various law firms in South Africa, owned her own law firm for 7 years, worked as commercial lawyer in Singapore and has been working as Legal Advisor in New Zealand for 3 years.

Joamari joined Horsley Christie in 2021 and specialises in Immigration Law, Property Law and Commercial Law. Her corporate commercial law skills is a unique addition to the firm’s commercial department.  She has An exceptional affinity for Immigration Law and the policy and economic considerations involved this field, and has empathy with her clients and their situations being a migrant herself.

Joamari is the current Vice-Chair of the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 2021 and has been on the Board since 2019.  She is actively involved in supporting the business community of Whanganui through her Chamber role.

Outside the law, Joamari enjoys outdoor activities such as mountain biking, surfing, skiing, playing golf, visiting the wonderful wineries of New Zealand and spending time with her friends and family.

Stephanie Bishop

Registered Legal Executive

Stephanie, who had worked in London for 20 years and qualified as a Legal Executive in 2002, came to Whanganui with her Kiwi husband and young family in 2007.  She joined Horsley Christie and became a member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives in 2009.

Stephanie’s main areas of expertise are in residential property transactions, trust administration, wills and powers of attorney and estate administration.  She works closely with her clients to ensure they always feel comfortable with the process and that the desired results are achieved.

Amber Olsen

Registered Legal Executive

Amber joined Horsley Christie in 2007 after graduating from Whanganui UCOL with a Diploma in Business and a Diploma in Management.  She spent a year as the Trust Account Administrator before taking up a position as Personal Assistant to Partner, Colin Milham.

Completing her NZLS Legal Executive Diploma in 2011, Amber is now practising as a Registered Legal Executive.

Amber has a friendly and approachable manner and is willing to go that extra mile to assist her clients.

As part of specialising in Residential Conveyancing, Amber particularly works with first home buyers and KiwiSaver/Housing New Zealand HomeStart Grant clients.

Amber works part-time to fit work around her busy family life involving husband Jamie and children Harper and Flynn.

Cassie Williams

Legal Executive

Cassie joined the team at Horsley Christie in 2010 as the Trust Account Administrator before taking up a position of Personal Assistant in 2014.

Completing her NZLS Legal Executive Diploma in 2020, Cassie is now practising as a Legal Executive.

Cassie has a kind, friendly and approachable nature and aims to get the best outcome for her clients. She specialises in residential conveyancing.

When not in the office Cassie enjoying spending time with her young family, camping, travelling and renovating houses.

Sarah Gowan

PRACTICE MANAGER

Sarah recently joined Horsley Christie as the Practice Manager.  She has a background in Accounting, Administration and Tourism and prior to joining Horsley Christie worked for a local chartered accountant. Sarah is married to Ricky, has two adult sons, and enjoys traveling, reading, gardening, music, and spending time with family and friends.

Sarah is responsible for the smooth running of the business side of the practice.  She is enjoying the challenge that her new role provides and looks forward to making your dealing with Horsley Christie as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.