Director
Justine Baird
Relationship property, family, employment and property lawyer with more than 25 years’ experience advising clients across Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes and the wider Otago region on complex family law, separation, employment and property matters. Justine is known for providing pragmatic, resolution-focused advice and helping clients navigate emotionally complex matters with clarity and confidence.
Areas Of Practice
Based in Alexandra
Justine Baird has been a Director at Checketts McKay Law since 2008 and leads the firm’s relationship property and family law teams. She is one of Central Otago’s most experienced lawyers advising clients on separation, relationship property disputes, care arrangements for children and family protection claims.
Justine is widely recognised for her practical, solution-focused advice, working with clients on complex personal and commercial matters. She regularly assists clients to resolve disputes through negotiation and practical settlement strategies, while also representing clients in court proceedings where required.
Justine appears in the Family Court and District Court throughout New Zealand. She is also a Court appointed Youth Advocate and Lawyer for Child, representing the interests of children and young people in Family Court and Youth/Criminal Court proceedings.
Alongside her family law practice, Justine advises employees and employers on a range of employment matters, including employment agreements, workplace disputes, disciplinary processes and restructuring issues. Her employment practice often intersects with business transactions and commercial arrangements.
Over her career, Justine has built a substantial commercial and property practice, advising clients on commercial leases, business sales and purchases, unit title developments and rural and residential property transactions. This commercial background provides valuable insight when advising clients on relationship property matters involving business or property assets.
Having practised in Central Otago for more than two decades and spending much of her youth in the region , Justine has deep connections across Alexandra, Cromwell, Queenstown and Arrowtown.
Outside of her legal practice, Justine is actively involved in the Central Otago community and has contributed to numerous local clubs, sports organisations and community boards. She currently serves as the Presiding Member of the Dunstan High School Board and is a member of the NZLS Otago Standards Committee.
Representative Experience
Justine’s recent experience includes advising on:
- Relationship property disputes involving complex business and property assets
- Care of children and guardianship proceedings in the Family Court
- Family protection and estate disputes
- Court appointed roles as Youth Advocate and Lawyer for Child
- Employment disputes, disciplinary processes and workplace investigations
- Employment agreements, restructures and employer advisory matters
- Business sales and purchases and commercial leasing arrangements
- Property and relationship property matters involving farming and rural assets
