Staff News - Spring 2007
New Senior Associate
We are delighted to announce that Andrew Hooker has joined the firm as Senior Associate Litigation.
After graduating from Auckland University in 1990, Andrew joined a specialist civil litigation firm in Auckland City and has practiced in the civil litigation area since then. Specialising in civil litigation with extensive experience in insurance and financial services law, Andrew has developed a reputation as a passionate advocate for his clients.
He has represented most major insurance companies and many brokers and advisers in all New Zealand Courts from the District Court to the Court of Appeal, and provided product and commercial advice across most sectors of the industry. Andrew is regarded as an expert in insurance and fraud throughout New Zealand and the Pacific and has been invited to speak at conferences and training events by industry bodies and regulators.
With significant experience and contacts in Pacific territories including Papua New Guinea, The Solomon Islands, Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa and The Cook Islands, Andrew is able to provide advice on most areas of the law in these territories.
"I joined Turner Hopkins because the culture and values of the firm matched my approach to the law. Lawyers need to provide sound, economic and commercially realistic advice and services to their clients. The legal processes can be confusing, complex and expensive, and our job is to ensure that our clients are represented with passion and commitment, and for a realistic cost."
In addition to Andrew Hooker joining us as a Senior Associate we are also delighted to announce that Christina Lee has joined the firm as a solicitor specialising in family law related matters. Christina replaces Isabel Jenner who has departed for her OE in the United Kingdom.
Claire O'Donnell our Senior Associate is currently on maternity leave (until March 2008). Congratulations to Claire and Neil on the birth of their third child Caitlyn.
Barrie Hopkins
In an exciting development, Turner Hopkins, Takapuna, has entered into an association with the Auckland firm of Barrie Hopkins, Barrister, Solicitor and Notary Public.
Barrie, a Takapuna resident for most of his life, joined the City firm of Lovegrove George & Turner as a law clerk in1946, subsequently becoming the senior partner in the firm which after several name changes practiced under the name of Turner Hopkins in Auckland, Takapuna, Albany and Orewa.
Although Barrie left Turner Hopkins to practise on his own account in the City 30 years ago, our firm of course still bears his name.
Over recent years we have been working together on matters where we think a sharing of experience and resources would be of benefit to our clients but now we believe a more formal association is appropriate.
Barrie will be well known to many of our clients, as will be Jackie Willoughby who has been with Barrie for 29 years and Debbie de Muth for 19 years.
i.e. at Level 9, Shortland Chambers, 70E Shortland Street.
We at Turner Hopkins are looking forward to working more closely with Barrie and his team in the years ahead.