Crowley Waugh Barristers & Solicitors was formed in 2021 to create Whanganui’s premier legal team, both in experience and commitment, to serve the needs of our community in every situation.
Crowley Waugh Barristers & Solicitors runs a flat management structure where all team members play a vital role in constant improvement of both service and process. We understand that we all have different strengths and weaknesses, but by collaborating, self reflecting, and constantly striving to improve (personally and as a team), we provide the best possible service to our clients.
Different team members are deployed on different files according to the skills and expertise required at that specific point of the project; in this way we are best able achieve our client’s goals. Clients benefit from having a range of different points of contact, particularly where they have an urgent need, and a timely result is a key driver.
Jamie Waugh – Principal
Jamie Waugh was admitted to the bar in 2004, becoming a Barrister sole in 2011, and founded Crowley Waugh Barristers and Solicitors in 2021.
Jamie is an experienced advocate across criminal, civil and family litigation having appeared in all levels of New Zealand Courts and resolved disputes across a wide variety of matters and situations.
Jamie is also extensively involved in project work as a community, social, and environmental advocate, facilitator and strategist.
Roger Crowley – Special Counsel
Roger Crowley has been practising as a Barrister and Solicitor in Whanganui since 1987. Roger was the Principal of the firm Roger Crowley Barristers and Solicitors which merged with Jamie Waugh Barristers to create Crowley Waugh Barristers and Solicitors.
Roger specialises in the area of Criminal Law including general defence work, Jury Trials and Youth Justice work. He also practices in Employment Law, Dispute Resolution, Family Protection Claims, Traffic Matters including Limited Licences, Relationship Property Disputes and some civil matters. As Special Counsel Roger oversees and provides guidance and advice to all members of the team, acting for specific clients on specific, usually high level and complex cases.
Roger is very well regarded as a strong advocate for his clients and an extremely experienced lawyer.
James Gilbert – Partner
James is a specialist civil litigator. Having completed his law degree with first class honours, James began his career as research counsel to the Judges of the District Court at Wellington, giving him a rare insight into the judicial mind. Since then he has accumulated a solid body of experience in a number of areas of civil and family litigation, in particular contract, estates, trusts, relationship property and employment. He became a barrister and began working with Jamie Waugh in 2017.
James is an academic at heart and enjoys legal problem-solving, but he understands that legal problems happen in the real world and being an effective lawyer is not always just about being the smartest guy in the room. James is committed to finding the resolution that is right for you, whether that means battling it out in front of a Judge or negotiating a practical solution on your behalf so that you can get on with looking after the things that matter to you most.
Get in touch with James today for advice you can trust and advocacy that puts your interests front and centre.
Sheryle Proctor – Partner
Sheryle is a partner of the firm and has been practicing as a Barrister and Solicitor in Whanganui since 1989.
Sheryle specialises in the area of Family Law. She is frequently appointed as a Lawyer for Children in Family Court matters and as a Youth Advocate.
Sheryle is an approved legal aid provider and is known for her strong and committed advocacy for her clients.
Craig Smith – Consultant
Craig is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives and qualified as a Registered Legal Executive in 1976. Craig has been practicing in Whanganui in excess of 40 years.
Craig specialises in the areas of Business and Property Law and has a pragmatic approach when dealing with the matters of his clients. Craig is known for his personal, thorough service and developing lasting relationships with his clients.
Megan Kennard – Senior Solicitor
Megan Kennard is experienced in residential, rural and commercial conveyancing, commercial leasing and the sale and purchase of businesses. She also has a passion for asset protection including advising clients on their relationship property rights and entitlements and assisting with succession planning involving family trusts, relationship property agreements, wills and enduring powers of attorney.
Megan’s focus is on building lasting, trusting relationships with her clients by providing practical and tailored advice. She is a member of the NZLS Property Law Section and is currently the President of the Whanganui branch of the New Zealand Law Society.
Stacey Hyland – Senior Solicitor
Stacey Hyland is a commercial and property lawyer specialising in residential and commercial property conveyancing, financing, subdivisions, and boundary adjustments. She prides herself on building strong working relationships and providing quality and easy-to-understand advice. She works with a range of clients from first-home buyers to land developers. Stacey goes the extra mile for her clients to ensure the transaction runs as smoothly and as stress-free as possible. Stacey grew up in Whanganui and coming from a rural background she and her family have strong ties within the Whanganui community.
Alicia Matthews – Litigation Lawyer
Alicia was admitted in the Auckland High Court in October 2019 and began her career in Whanganui shortly afterwards.
She specialises in Family Court litigation including domestic violence, childcare disputes, Oranga Tamariki matters and relationship property division.
Alicia is a member of the Family Law Section and a board member for Community Legal Advice Whanganui (CLAW). Before joining CLAW, she volunteered for a year as a solicitor for Sustainable Whanganui Trust.
Alicia is an approved legal aid provider and a passionate advocate for victims of family violence.
Jeremy Seal – Barrister & Solicitor
Jeremy started studying law after working in the District Court for 5 years as a criminal registrar where he gained valuable insight into the Court’s processes and procedures.
Jeremy specialises in criminal defence work mainly in the summary jurisdiction (Police prosecutions), where his skills in seeking bail for his clients, and ensuring reasonable and fair sentencing outcomes are extremely beneficial to clients.
Jeremy is determined to get the best results possible for his clients, each and every time.
Kathy Browning – Office Manager / Senior Administrator
Kathy has been with the firm for many years, ensuring the office runs efficiently and smoothly. She is often a client's first point of contact and enjoys making clients feel welcome, and well looked after.
Christina Smith – AML / Accounting / Senior Administrator
Chris manages our AML compliance and Trust Account, she is dedicated and hardworking and tends to work on special projects and troubleshooting/problem-solving.
Sandra Bell – Senior Administrator/ Legal Executive
When Sandra commenced working at Roger Crowley, Barristers & Solicitors she brought with her over 30 years of experience in a Law Office and that experience continues to accumulate with the new firm of Crowley Waugh.
Having qualified as a Legal Executive within that period Sandra assists in the drafting of documentation including Sale and Purchase Agreements, Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Estate documentation and various other types of Deeds required in the legal field.
As Craig Smith’s Personal Assistant, Sandra will complete initially various tasks required regarding client’s instructions. She also assists in attending on clients in Craig’s absence.
Sandra is also responsible for all work involving the Land Transfer Office which includes the transfer of properties between parties and other related transactions.
Sandra is very aware time frames within which work must be completed and has a straightforward approach to completion of client instructions.
Triona Cooney — PA to Jamie Waugh / Legal Assistant
Triona is Jamie Waugh's personal assistant, she knows his files and is often the main contact point for his clients. She understands that our clients are often in extremely difficult circumstances and always goes above and beyond to assist them.
Triona was involved in the set up and runs all office systems and provides an important communication link between team members. When she isn’t solving clients problems in the office she is fighting fires as a volunteer fire fighter.
Office 06 345 3844
Email Triona Cooney
