Michelle Hemara

Michelle is a valued member of the team and comes to us with a vast amount of legal experience.

After a stint in the UK she returned with her family to Hawke’s Bay and focused on building her Legal Executive career. When Michelle is not stepping clients through various legal matters, you’ll probably find her lighting up the dance floor, as she is also an experienced Salsa teacher.

Personal Assistant

Emma Bates

Contact Michelle

Email: mhemara@willislegal.co.nz
Phone: (06) 878 6039

Rachael Luxton

Rachael has grown up in Hawke’s Bay, and returned in 2017 after 5 years in Wellington. Rachael began her career with Willis Legal at the end of 2017 and recently completed her Diploma in Legal Executive Studies in 2020. She specialises in residential conveyancing and estates.

Outside of work, Rachael is a board member of Volunteering Hawke’s Bay and enjoys volunteering in the community and experiencing all of what Hawke’s Bay has to offer together, with completing a never-ending home renovation.

Contact Rachael

Email: rluxton@willislegal.co.nz

Trista Halford

Having been born and bred in Hawke’s Bay, Trista spent a few years in Auckland where she completed a degree in Event Management with a minor in Marketing and English Studies.

Knowing there’s no place like home, Trista returned to Napier as soon as she could and whilst waiting to graduate, a temp job in a local law firm saw her find her passion for the legal profession. She decided to throw herself back into the world of assignments and exams to become a qualified legal executive, securing a job with Taradale Law whilst she studied and graduating with her diploma in 2016. Trista’s main fields of work are residential conveyancing and estates. She particularly enjoys helping clients into their first homes and making what can seem like a very overwhelming process for young purchasers as easy as on them as possible.

Personal Assistant

Kerry Chapman

Contact Trista

Email: thalford@willislegal.co.nz
Phone: (06) 835 3229

Holly Mooney

Having explored South America and Europe in her twenties, Holly returned to work in the accounting industry for over 7 years.

A keen foodie, Holly is often planning a menu for the next family get-together. She brings over 10 years of administrative experience with her from the trade, construction and accounting services industries, and is currently studying a Diploma in Legal Executive Studies. She enjoys meeting new clients and assisting them with their legal requirements.

Personal Assistant

Belinda Clibborn

Contact Holly

Email: hmooney@willislegal.co.nz
Phone: (06) 835-3229

Sallyanne Belmont

Sallyanne is a qualified Registered Legal Executive, and became a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives in 2017. She is the Hawke’s Bay representative for the Wellington District Branch of the NZILE.

Prior to moving to Hawkes Bay, she worked at a couple of Auckland based Law Firms and more recently at a Hastings firm. She enjoys helping clients, especially first home buyers, and thrives on client’s satisfaction. Outside of work, Sallyanne enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going camping or relaxing with a book.

Personal Assistant

Janine Blockley

Contact Sallyanne

Email: sbelmont@willislegal.co.nz

Emma Bayliss

Emma Bayliss is a Registered Legal Executive, who qualified as a Legal Executive in 2011 and has over 20 years of experience working in law firms across Hawke’s Bay and in London. She has lots of experience in estates and conveyancing, and in addition, is enjoying working with the Willis Legal Dispute Resolution Team.

Outside of the office, she loves traveling, spending time with whanau and friends, getting stuck into a good book, and making the most of the Hawke’s Bay sunshine!

Personal Assistant

Belinda Clibborn

Contact Emma

Email: ebayliss@willislegal.co.nz

Regan Cuthill-Coutts

Legal executive, Regan, has worked in the legal field in the Hawkes Bay for the last 6 years.  She completed her Diploma in Legal Executive Studies in 2023 and specialises in residential conveyancing. She also works with our clients in the wills and estates area of law.

Outside the office, Regan enjoys reading and relaxing, along with travel and spending time with her partner and friends.

Personal Assistant

Lisa Bennett

Contact Regan

Email: rcuthill-coutts@willislegal.co.nz

Phone: 06 835 3229