Justine graduated from Otago University in 1998 after taking several years off her study to travel and work overseas.
Before joining Checketts McKay, Justine worked as a solicitor in Queenstown focusing on commercial and property transactions.
She joined Checketts McKay in 2003, became an associate in 2006 and entered partnership on 1 January 2008.
Justine grew up on a farm in Central Southland and now lives in Alexandra with her partner, Jim, and three children. Justine and Jim, and their respective families, are involved in the Central Otago wine industry, owning producing vineyards in the region.
Based in Alexandra, Justine's main areas of practice include:
Justine is also a Court appointed Youth Advocate and Lawyer for Child.
Kirsten Knights has been a solicitor with Checketts McKay since 2004. After graduating from Otago University in 1998, she spent two years working in the outdoor education industry in England.
Returning to New Zealand in 2000 she worked for the Crown Solicitor in Christchurch in the area of Criminal law, before moving to Alexandra in 2003.
Kirsten became an Associate in 2006 and was appointed as a Director in 2012.
Kirsten grew up on a farm in coastal Otago and spent many summer holidays in Central. She is married to Ian, an outdoor educator, and they have four sons.
Kirsten covers most areas of general law and specialises in family proceedings. She is also a Court appointed Youth Advocate.
Maxine is the firm’s resident Director at the Cromwell office.
After graduating in 1988, Maxine commenced practice in Invercargill, becoming a partner in 1993. In 2005 Maxine moved with her family to Cromwell where she has become deeply involved in the community, including serving 9 years on the Cromwell College Board of Trustees, 6 of those years as Chairperson.
Maxine joined Checketts McKay as a Director in 2013. She has extensive business and property law experience and is known for her pragmatic approach in complex situations. Maxine has a particular interest in investment property and trust transactions.
Maxine served for 25 years as a Tenancy Tribunal Adjudicator, retiring in June 2018. Having that inside knowledge of rental investment property is a real advantage for her clients.
Maxine’s recreational time is spent with family and friends enjoying the Central Otago environment.
Areas of practice:
Gordon has lived in Alexandra since 1983 and became a partner of the firm in 1986.
Gordon is involved in a range of community projects including the Hawea Whitewater Park created for recreational kayakers, a trustee of the Central Otago Ecological Trust and its predator proof reserve at Aldinga for protecting a range of native species including the endangered Otago and Grand skinks, Conservation Officer for Central Otago Whitewater and is an organiser of the Central Otago Whitewater junior kayak programme.
Gordon is married to Mary and has three active children. His recreational interests include mountain biking, kayaking, skiing and travel.
Gordon specialises in:
In the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Gordon was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his involvement and services to kayaking for 40 years.
David joined Checketts McKay in 2019 and is based in the Wanaka office. He is a graduate from the University of Auckland and has practiced mainly in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.Having recently moved permanently to Wanaka, David will be focussing on looking after our business clients along with residential/commercial property matters and trusts.
He is a past chairman of the Franchise Association of New Zealand and has specialist knowledge in creating/managing franchise systems and advising prospective franchisees on the entry into a franchise opportunity.
David is a Notary Public and is able to assist anyone needing a document notarised or other notarial services. He is also a member of a New Zealand Law Society Standards Committee.
Holly joined Checketts McKay as a solicitor in March 2019 and is based in the Wanaka office. She grew up on a farm in rural Southland and since graduating from the University of Otago in 2016 has been working for a law practice in Queenstown.
Holly will be looking after our Wanaka clients, working on residential and commercial conveyancing, businesses, trusts and relationship property.
Outside of work, Holly runs a business called Remarkably Raw which specialises in making raw cakes that are gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free and vegan. She PROMISES they taste just as naughty as the real thing! Holly also enjoys long walks around the beautiful Central Otago area.
