The Team

Devon McDonald is the principal of Swayne McDonald. Devon holds the degree of Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from University of Otago. He was admitted to the Bar in 1976. He established the firm in 1981 with his then partner, Mark Swayne. Mark retired from legal practice in 2000. Devon's primary focus is on conveyancing, family trusts and relationship property matters although he has extensive experience in a wide variety of legal issues having been in practice since 1976.

Joy Hadley - a registered Legal Executive - having been admitted as an Associate of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives in 1992. Joy has been employed in "the law" since 1976, initially as a secretary, then Senior Secretary followed by a period as Office Manager and then, more recently, as a fully qualified Legal Executive. She has extensive experience in a wide range of conveyancing and property law matters.

Rochelle Johnson holds the degrees of Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Auckland and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Waikato. Prior to joining us in August 2007 Rochelle has had eight years legal practice experience in a wide range of family, civil and general litigation - focusing on family law litigation and specialising in particular in relationship property matters. These areas are the primary focus of Rochelle's work with us.  

Trish Bentinck-Stokes started life in a law office in the mid 1980s as a legal executive and after completing her study and earning her Legal Executive Certificate, embarked on a LL.B degree out of Auckland University.   Trish continued working full-time in a medium-sized law firm whilst studying part-time.  For approximately 17 years, Trish carried out the mortgagee-sale and lending work for a well-established Building Society.  Trish has for the last four years has been a general sole practitioner  and is conversant with all aspects of residential conveyancing; wills; estate administration; family trusts; enduring powers of attorney. Trish is based at our Botany Junction office.

Neil Horne holds the degrees of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Otago. Neil practiced as a Barrister and Solicitor in Auckland for 25 years until 1997 when he retired from private practice and became employed by the Auckland District Law Society in the Society's "Professional Standards Team". Since 2000 Neil has been semi-retired and is now a consultant to the firm applying his extensive practical experience, knowledge of the law and attention to detail to a wide range of commercial and property related transactions.

Dick Bury is a registered Legal Executive - having been a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives for many years. Dick has for the past 30 years specialized in deceased estate administration. His wealth of experience and wicked Irish sense of humor ease what can otherwise be a stressful process for the family of the deceased.

Johnson Paul graduated in India with a Bachelor of Laws degree ( LLB) in 1992. He practised law in India until 1998 when he and his wife emigrated to New Zealand. Since then he has practised as an immigration consultant on his own account and has also owned and operated a computer retail business. He has now completed his New Zealand law qualifications and has recently been admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Johnson's particular areas of interest are Property, Immigration and Family Law. As well as speaking English, Johnson also speaks Malayalam and Hindi.

Christina Lee holds the conjoint degree of Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (LLB/BA) (Japanese major) from the University of Auckland. Since her admission to the Bar in 2004, Christina's legal practice experience has included conveyancing, commercial, immigration, traffic and civil litigation work, however she has practiced predominantly in all aspects of family law. Christina has a particular interest in issues affecting children and the needs and issues of people going through separation. Christina's work with us includes civil litigation and traffic matters but her primary focus is on family law practice.

Daphne Ma is a Registered Legal Executive and an Associate Member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.  Daphne is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English  She is a registered translator of the New Zealand Courts and also for the New Zealand Immigration Service.  Daphne has worked with several Auckland city and suburban law firms since 1992. Her areas of Legal Practice include advising clients on all immigration matters, the formation of  Family Trusts, all conveyancing transactions, and also the sale and purchase of businesses and related commercial leases.  Daphne is based at our Botany Junction office.