Director
Justine Baird
Relationship property and family lawyer with more than 25 years’ experience advising clients across Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes region on separation, care of children and complex family law matters.
Areas Of Practice
Based in Alexandra
Justine Baird is a Director at Checketts McKay Law and leads the firm’s Relationship Property and Family Law teams. She is one of Central Otago’s most experienced lawyers advising on relationship property disputes, separation and complex family law matters.
Justine has more than 25 years’ experience practising in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes region and is widely recognised for her practical, solution-focused advice across complex personal and commercial matters.
She leads the firm’s family law and relationship property team and regularly advises clients on separation, relationship property disputes, care of children matters and family protection claims. Justine appears in the Family Court and District Court throughout New Zealand and is experienced in resolving sensitive disputes through both negotiated outcomes and court proceedings where required.
Justine is also a Court appointed Youth Advocate and Lawyer for Child, roles which involve representing the interests of children in Family Court proceedings.
Alongside her family law practice, Justine advises employers and businesses 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.
Earlier in her career Justine 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 perspective when advising clients on relationship property matters involving business or property assets.
Justine is known for providing clear, succinct advice and for working with clients to achieve practical outcomes in challenging situations.
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.
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
