Buying and selling a business

Nicola joined Nicholsons in 2001 and has been a partner of the firm since 2008. Nicola practices in all aspects of property law (commercial, farming and residential) and commercial law, advising clients on a wide range of transactions. Nicola’s areas of particular interest include business sales and acquisitions, trusts, succession planning and creative problem solving.

Area of expertise

Personal
Property
Rural
Trusts
Commercial

Richie’s primary area of practice is residential conveyancing and commercial law. Also practicing in the area of Trusts and Estates together with preparing Enduring Powers of Attorney and Wills.

Richie welcomes you to contact him for your legal needs.

Area of expertise

Personal
Property
Rural
Trusts
Commercial

Rochelle was born and raised in New Plymouth and began her legal career here in 2000.

Rochelle joined the partnership at Nicholsons in 2019, after returning to New Plymouth from Auckland where she was a partner in a medium-sized firm. She provides advice on a range of commercial and business matters, property and leasing matters, financing arrangements, trusts, wills and asset/estate planning. She acts for a variety of clients from individuals and families through to small businesses and larger organisations.

Prior to her move to Auckland in 2009, Rochelle worked in London for four years in both private practice and in-house roles. Throughout her legal career, she has gained a wide range of experience which enables her to provide comprehensive yet practical legal advice.

Area of expertise

Personal
Property
Rural
Trusts
Commercial

Rachel is a specialist in commercial, property and employment law. Rachel enjoys working with a wide variety of people and helping them to achieve the best results in a practical, no-nonsense manner.
The qualified lawyer grew up in rural Taranaki and comes from a large extended family. She’s an avid music lover and enjoys going to concerts, musicals and even the odd opera. She appreciates Taranaki’s unique lifestyle and enjoys spending time with family and friends, while also working on interior design projects around her home.

Area of expertise

Personal
Property
Rural
Trusts
Employment
Commercial

Sonja joined Nicholsons in March 2026. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Economics, and was admitted to the bar in 2003. Sonja is part of Rochelle Stevens’ team, where she assists clients with a range of commercial and property matters. Outside of work, Sonja enjoys going to the gym, and spending time with family.

Area of expertise

Commercial
Personal
Estate Administration
Property
Trusts

Savannah joined the firm at the start of 2025 after completing a conjoint degree in Law and Social Science. Savannah also went on to compete a Master of Laws.

Originally growing up in Whakatāne, then studying in Hamilton, Savannah made the move to Taranaki and is loving it.

Savannah has joined Rochelle’s team and assists in commercial and property matters. Savannah was admitted to the bar in June 2025.

Outside of work Savannah enjoys spending time with friends and family, creative pursuits and keeping active.

Area of expertise

Commercial
Property
Personal

“Grace graduated from the University of Otago in 2021 before returning to her hometown of New Plymouth to begin her career. Grace assists Richie in our Commercial team and has experience with conveyancing, business transactions, estate planning and relationship property matters.

Outside of work, Grace has a passion for netball and is heavily involved in the Tukapa Netball Club. Grace also enjoys baking and spending time with her family and friends.”

Area of expertise

Commercial
Property
Personal
Trusts
Rural

Colleen specialises in separation and relationship property matters.

If your relationship has ended, Colleen will provide practical advice (that you will easily understand) and assistance with division of relationship property and related matters.

Colleen also assists clients in new or ongoing relationships to protect assets from a future relationship property claim.

With over 25 years’ legal experience,  Colleen enjoys working on complex property matters involving trusts and companies.

Colleen enjoyed growing up on a dairy farm and has lived in Taranaki most of her life, other than stints abroad living in the USA and Ireland.  These days Colleen enjoys gardening, house projects and socialising with family and friends.

Area of expertise

Relationship Property
Commercial

Holly started with Nicholsons as a legal secretary in June 2014. She studied while working and became a registered legal executive in 2018.

She works mainly in property law (conveyancing) and also does business and trust work.

Outside work Holly enjoys riding her horse, while she also has a need for speed and travels frequently with her partner to race their jet sprint boat.

Area of expertise

Personal
Property
Commercial
Trusts

Originally from Taranaki, Emma is pleased to return home to begin her legal career and enjoys the lifestyle and sense of community the region offers. Emma holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University of Wellington and was admitted to the bar in May 2026.

Emma primarily assists with Commercial, Property and Relationship Property matters.

Outside of work, she enjoys ballroom dancing, spending time with family and friends and keeping active.

Area of expertise

Relationship Property
Commercial
Personal
Property

Richelle started her career in law at 18 as junior typist and while on leave to have her two children she completed her Legal Executive Diploma and became a Registered Legal Executive in 2015.

Richelle works alongside Rachel Evans and is experienced in a wide range of law including residential conveyancing, enduring powers of attorney and wills.

Outside of work Richelle enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.

Area of expertise

Property
Personal
Trusts
Commercial

Olivia joined the firm in 2025 and has since completed her Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts degrees at the University of Auckland. She was admitted to the bar on 3 November 2025.

Originally from a dairy farm in Taranaki, Olivia is happy to be back with her family while beginning her law career.

Outside the office, she can be found enjoying the family farm, following Formula One, and spending time with friends.

Area of expertise

Commercial