Our People
Paul Adams
ConsultantL.L.B
When not on the golf course, Paul practices in the areas of estate administration, trusts, wills, conveyancing and advising the rural and business sectors.
Paul is also a long standing member of the firm, having commenced his legal career here in 1973, joining the partnership in 1975. Paul served on the Southland Branch of the New Zealand Law Society for nearly 20 years. He is a current and long standing member of the Southland Master’s Golf Team. Paul is also a past President of the former Southland District Law Society.
Paul is married to Diane, has 2 adult daughters and 3 grandchildren and is proud to say that after 20 years he still holds the course record of 60 at the Arrowtown Golf Club.
Areas of Speciality:
- Wills and Estate Planning
- Farming and Rural Law
- Buying and Selling of Property
- Trusts
- Elder Law
- Estate Administration
M: 027 228 9745
P: 03 218 2833
M: 021 466 962
P: 03 218 2833
Debbie Bryan-Lamb
Partner/MediatorL.L.B., B.Com (Management), PGDip(Ch.Adv), G.Dip (Business Studies), Disputes Resolution AAMINZ (FDR)
As a proud Southerner Debbie is an experienced family law specialist, litigator and mediator. Debbie’s honest and reliable advice to clients and her personable pragmatic approach to matters, ensures clients are kept well informed and supported throughout the legal process.
Debbie joined the firm in 2000. Debbie has a particular interest in separation and division of relationship property matters, is Lawyer for Child and Lawyer for Subject Person, AMINZ (Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of NZ Inc) credentialed Associate Member, Fairway Resolution Ltd Mediator/Provider, Voice of Child Specialist and an accredited member of NZ Law Society’s Panel of Mediators as a Family Specialist. Debbie has a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Dispute Resolution) and is an experienced mediator renowned for helping parties reach resolution in all kinds of disputes both internationally/nationally. As a “people person” Debbie has extensive experience in working collaboratively with clients from all walks of life, providing strong advocacy for her clients who value her ability to adapt to her client’s individual needs.
Debbie is Past Chair and current Secretary of LANZ (Law Alliance NZ Ltd) having previously served as a Board Director since 2010, Past Chair of Lighthouse Southland Inc, Chair of Southland Community Law Centre and on the governance team of Disability Resource Centre.
Outside of the office Debbie and her husband enjoy spending time with family and friends, being avid travellers, touring on their motor bikes, enjoying outdoor living in sunny Central Otago, walking and pottering in the garden.
Areas of Speciality:
- Family Law
- Separation and Relationship Property
- Care of Children Act/Domestic Violence Act and Protection of Personal Property Rights Act
- Voice of Child Specialist
- Buying and selling property
- Elder Law/Retirement Village
- Small Business advice
- Dispute resolution
- Employment Advice
- Mediation
Karen Poff
Partner L.L.B. B.A (Political Studies)
Karen enjoys variety and has experience in most legal areas. Her current practice is made up of a large mix of individual and business clients. She particularly enjoys assisting clients with all types of property, commercial and trust matters as well as succession and asset protection advice, wills and estate administration. Karen prides herself in providing practical solution focussed advice while assisting her clients to achieve outcomes that help ensure their futures are secured.
Originally from Dunedin, Karen joined the firm in 2001 after attending Otago University and became a partner in 2008. Karen is passionate about seeing our Southland province continue to thrive and also enjoys giving back to the community through her current roles as Board Chair of Stadium Southland Limited and as both a member and officer of the Rotary Club of Invercargill Incorporated.
Outside of the professional environment, Karen is a keen netball fan and spectator and also enjoys reading, keeping fit and spending quality time with her husband and two school aged daughters – getting involved and cheering them on as often as she can with their chosen sports and activities.
Legal Areas of Focus
- Small and large business advice (agribusiness and commercial and start ups)
- Buying and Selling Property – residential, rural and commercial both land and businesses
- Commercial and rural leases
- Subdivisions
- Refinances
- Succession Advice and Asset Protection
- Trusts
- Enduring Powers of Attorney
- Wills
- Employment Agreements
- Liquor Licensing
- Estate Administration
M: 021 567 157
P: 03 218 2833
M: 021 558 201
P: 03 218 2833
E: andrew@wardadams.nz
Andrew Ward
Partner
L.L.B., B.A.
Andrew is a born and bred Southlander and a 4th generation lawyer. He has been with the firm since 2011.
His work is varied and includes almost all areas of legal practice. In his early days Andrew worked predominantly with his late father with a focus on litigation and disputes which he says gave him a great background for moving into other areas of law. He has previously been a volunteer at the Southland Community Law Centre which was a great way to engage with the community.
Andrew’s current practice includes advising many local businesses and he has a particular interest in alcohol licensing and gambling law. He currently serves as board member of the ILT Foundation. He is also the convenor of the Southland Standards Committee.
Married to Kasey, they have three children. Outside the office, he is a keen golfer and regularly plays at the Invercargill Golf Club. He also enjoys all sports, particularly football. He is an ardent supporter of Arsenal.
If you are looking for friendly and professional advice, contact Andrew.
Jonathon Amtmann
Associate
L.L.B., B.Com (Management)
Jonathon joined our firm in April 2019. By the end of 2017, he completed his Law and Commerce degrees with the University of Canterbury. He was admitted to the Bar in 2018.
Jonathon was initially employed with the Southland Community Law Centre which gave him exposure to a wide range of legal issues. Jonathon also volunteered with the Community Law Centre in Canterbury during his studies. Since Jonathon has been with us, he has continued to assist our clients with their many different and varying legal needs.
He has been involved with our family law team, assisting clients in and out of the family court setting. Jonathon continues to assist on private client matters as well as employment and conveyancing. Jonathon has lived in a few different countries growing up and therefore appreciates that clients come from all different walks of life. Jonathon is practical solutions driven.
When not in the office, Jonathon likes to spend his free time with his family and particularly enjoys going out mountain biking, hiking and completing walking trails..
M: 022 509 1200
P: 03 218 2833
E: jono@wardadams.nz
Teena Malik
Staff Solicitor
L.L.B., B.A. (Eng. Hons.), M.B.A. (HR)
P.G.Dip (Business Enterprise)
Teena joined our Ward Adams Bryan-Lamb team in January 2024 having graduated from Otago University and admitted to the bar in 2023. Teena provides legal advice and assistance for our family law team advising clients in all aspects of family matters including shared care arrangements, family violence, separation and division of relationship property and dissolution of marriage. Teena also provides weekly voluntary assistance to the Southland Community Law Centre.
Outside of work Teena enjoys travel, listening to music and trying different cuisines with friends and family.
Areas of Speciality:
- Family Law
- Care of Children Act/ Domestic Violence Act
- Separation and Relationship Property
Nicola McLeish
Practice Manager Legal Executive Cert, Dip in Business Management
Nicola has worked for Ward Adams Bryan-Lamb since 1981 when she started as our Office Junior. Over the years Nicola has held various other positions, gaining valuable knowledge of how the firm works before becoming the firm’s Practice Manager some years ago. Nicola works closely with the Partners and is involved in all aspects of the businesses management and is responsible for all aspects of the firms staff and office management.
We at Ward Adams Bryan-Lamb consider our client care extremely important. If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Nicola.
