MERTON MALLOY

Partner BSc LLB (Hons)
In November 2003 Merton completed 40 years working in law offices having started work in central Auckland in 1963 as a law clerk with a Science degree.

Merton regards himself as a dedicated General Practitioner with a special interest in Trusts and related Property, Succession and Protection issues and strategies. His desire to maintain a personalised service and working environment lay behind his shift to Newmarket from a major city firm in 1991. Merton works with our clients to de-mystify the law and to get the best that can be won out of all situations.

Married with three children and four gandchildren, Merton's interests are sport (couch competitor), jogging (slower daily), the development of an olive grove in the Hawkes Bay, music, reading and his heart-beat.

ALFRED HARFORD

Partner LLB MComLaw (Hons)
Alfred attended Wellington College and Christchurch Boys' High School and later read law at the University of Auckland. Alfred was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1976. Prior to joining Merton in the firm in 1996, Alfred was a partner in a Queen Street law firm for 12 years

Alfred is a commercial lawyer. He advises and assists a significant number of emerging and established business clients in various industry sectors, including retailing, manufacturing and distribution, health and technology.

Alfred regularly acts in a range of commercial issues and transactions including acquisitions, financing, ownership and restructuring, joint ventures, intellectual property ownership and licensing, employment and general commercial contracts.

Alfred also advises and assists a number of substantial private clients with their trusts and asset planning arrangements.

Alfred is married and is the father of two adult daughters. Alfred is a keen golfer and sailor. He is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Grange Golf Club

DAVID RUCK

Partner LLB
David was educated at Auckland Grammar School and the University of Auckland and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1986. Prior to joining Malloy Goodwin Harford, David was a partner for 12 years in other Auckland law firms.

David is a property, trust and estates lawyer. He advises and assists a large number of established and successful business clients in respect of their property and commercial transactions. He also advises and assists a significant number of private clients with their residential and commercial property interests, trusts and asset planning arrangements, as well as acting and advising on the administration of estates.

David is married with three school-aged children. He maintains an active interest in all sports, particularly golf, cricket, the various football codes and snow skiing.

DAVID MOORMAN

Partner BCom, LLB (Hons), LLM
David attended Auckland Grammar School and the University of Auckland, and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1986. Prior to joining Malloy Goodwin Harford, David was a partner in a national law firm.

David is a commercial lawyer, with experience across all areas of corporate and commercial law, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, trade practices, franchising and licensing, advertising and marketing and banking and finance. David also assists client with their trusts and asset planning arrangements.

Much of David’s work involves the review, drafting and negotiation of contracts across a wide spectrum of business matters, including shareholder and joint venture agreements, agreements for sale and purchase of shares and assets, supply and distribution agreements, terms of trade, service and management agreements and franchise and licence agreements. David acts for a broad range of clients, with a special interest in not-for-profit organisations.

In the not-for-profit sector, David advises on the structuring, establishment and registration of charitable companies, charitable trusts and incorporated societies, as well as assisting with governance and constitutional issues.

David is married with two school-aged children. Beyond an active interest in his children’s sporting and other activities, David maintains an ongoing involvement in competitive running.

KATHY DIDSBURY

Senior Associate LLB
Kathy was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1980, having completed her law degree at Auckland University.

Kathy worked at Kensington Haynes and White from 1979 before becoming a partner in the merged firm of Kensington Swan in 1988. Kathy resigned as a partner from that firm in 1992 and worked as a consultant for another Auckland City firm before joining Malloy Goodwin Harford in June 2000.

Kathy is a property law specialist assisting clients with their residential and commercial property dealings including property ownership structures and subdivisions and multi-title developments.

Kathy also assists clients with family trusts and with estate administration.

Kathy is married with two children and is kept busy with their various school and other activities. Kathy enjoys tennis, water and snow skiing, cycling, walking, some running as well as theatre and music.

MARISE ALLAN

Senior Associate LLB
Marise was born and educated in Gisborne and completed her law degree at the University of Otago in 1991.

Marise has worked for law firms in Whangarei, Gisborne and Tauranga. Most recently she was a partner in the Tauranga firm Simpson Allan Law and left that firm to join Malloy Goodwin Harford in 2004.

Marise is a property and commercial lawyer. She advises and assists both private and business clients in all aspects of their residential and commercial property transactions. She works with her business clients in respect of their commercial dealings including acquisitions, leasing, financing, joint ventures and property development. Marise's work for her private clients also involves family trusts.

Marise's leisure interests include tennis, beach volleyball and walking.

LISA ESTIE

Legal Executive
Lisa is a qualified Legal Executive with over 20 years experience in residential and commercial property transactions, trusts and estate work.

Lisa has worked with Merton Malloy for more than 16 years. She rejoined the firm in 2006 after a period of maternity leave and other work experience.

Lisa is married with two school age children and enjoys reading and crafts.

ZOE COOPER

Solicitor LLB, BCom
Zoe was raised and educated in Warkworth and completed her law degree at the University of Otago.

After her admission as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2004, Zoe worked for two and a half years at a boutique commercial firm in Auckland.

Zoe joined Malloy Goodwin Harford in March 2007 after returning to New Zealand from her OE.

Zoe acts on a range of residential and commercial property matters, and is also involved in the firm’s trust, estate and finance work. She also assists the partners on a variety of commercial transactions.

Zoe is a keen sports fan and plays rugby for College Rifles Rugby Club.

Zoe also loves escaping Auckland to go to the beach whenever she can get a chance.

KAREN DAVIDSON

Solicitor LLB
Karen attended St. Cuthbert's College and the University of Auckland. Karen was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2003, and of the High Court of the Cook Islands in 2007.

Prior to joining Malloy Goodwin Harford, Karen worked as a Solicitor in general practice for two and a half years within a mid-tier firm based on Auckland's North Shore. In 2007, Karen seized an opportunity for an adventure and took a 12 month contract as Senior Legal Counsel for a Cook Islands trust company based in Rarotonga.

Karen is a commercial and property lawyer with experience across a wide range of legal issues, including trust and asset protection experience in both New Zealand and various off-shore jurisdictions including the US, UK and the Pacific. Karen advises and assists private clients with trusts, estates and property transactions, and business clients with financing and commercial contract work.

Karen has a passion for music and plays the piano and the cello. Karen enjoys the gym and loves relaxing at the family beach house on the Whangarei Harbour whenever she can.