Commercial contracts

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

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 has made the move to Taranaki and loving it.

Savannah has joined Rochelle Steven’s team and is looking to be admitted to the bar very shortly.

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

Area of expertise

Commercial

“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

After growing up in the UK, Joanna moved to Whangarei with her family in 2008 and then subsequently to Taranaki in 2013.

Joanna holds the NZLS Legal Executive Diploma as well as a Diploma in Conveyancing.

Joanna brings a wealth of experience to the team, including residential and commercial conveyancing, estate planning, trusts, business sale and purchases.

In her spare time Joanna loves to keep fit and spend quality time with friends and family.

Area of expertise

Personal
Property
Trusts
Commercial

Rebecca moved to New Plymouth in 2014 having previously worked for law firms in Auckland and London.

Rebecca has always had a keen interest in law and has worked in the legal industry for over 25 years. Her experience is primarily in property law completing residential and commercial conveyancing, complex subdivisions and leasing. She also has experience with wills and trusts.

Rebecca brings her many years of experience, logical thinking and down to earth character to her role as a qualified Registered Legal Executive.

Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys coaching and playing netball while supporting her family in all their sporting endeavors.

Area of expertise

Personal
Property
Trusts
Commercial

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 is completing her last year of a law and arts degree at the University of Auckland.

Originally from a dairy farm in Taranaki, Olivia is loving being back with her family and working.

Olivia is flourishing under the guidance of Partner Nicola Patterson and is looking forward to being admitted to the bar later this year.

Outside the office, Olivia enjoys spending time on the family farm with her horses and calves, following Formula One, and reading.

Area of expertise

Commercial