Our Partners

Michael Fraser Dixon
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Michael has been with Swarbrick Dixon since 1973 (then known as Swarbrick Dixon Allen & Walter) and a partner in the firm since 1975.

A graduate of Otago University (LLB), Michael initially began his career with Swarbrick Dixon as their sole staff solicitor.

While in this role, Michael was engaged in a wide variety of both common law and conveyancing work and thereby obtained a broad basic background in many aspects of legal practice. He no longer undertakes any Court work but is engaged principally in commercial and residential conveyancing, Trusts, Estate and Asset Planning and some minor Local Government work and matrimonial matters.

In recent years he has developed particular interest and some expertise in the impact of Government Policy and Legislation on the elderly and has been advising clients on retirement and asset planning matters.

Michael has been the partner responsible for the Raglan branch office that has operated on Thursday afternoons since 1975. He now owns a holiday home at Raglan and has taken an active part in the local community and is a contributor to the Raglan Chronicle.

Michael has had many diverse active interests outside his legal practice. These include musical theatre, dancing, athletics and cards. He has been on stage in musicals, is a single figure handicap golfer, has gained gold medals in ballroom and Latin American dancing and has been a qualified Contract Bridge director and Golf Rules Official.

Michael is the Complaints and Standards Officer of the Waikato Branch of the New Zealand Law Society Complaints Service.

Michael Thomas Bracken
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Mike Bracken was born in Dunedin in 1963 and grew up in Timaru in the South Island. He spent a year in the United States as an AFS Exchange Student and moved to Auckland in 1982 where he studied law at Auckland University. He obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from Auckland University in 1987 and was initially employed by Kensington swan, Solicitors, Auckland in their Commercial Property team.

Mike moved to Hamilton in 1990 and worked for several years as a staff solicitor for Norris Ward doing a variety of commercial and property work before moving to Swarbrick Dixon in 1995. Mike became a partner of Swarbrick Dixon in 1997 and provides legal advice in all aspects of commercial and property law. He has particular expertise in:

• The sale and purchase of residential and commercial property
• Subdivision and development of property, including finance and building contracts etc.
• Commercial leasing
  
• Commercial financing
  
• The sale and purchase of businesses
  
• Company and securities law
  
• Crown land and Treaty Settlement issues
  
• Technology law and e-commerce issues.

Mike's personal interests include computers and internet technology and motorcycling. Mike can generally be found in his spare time either riding his bike or surfing the net. He is currently the Managing Partner of Swarbrick Dixon.

Dorothy Thresher
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Dorothy graduated in her LLB with first class honours in 2003 from the University of Waikato. Before starting her degree, Dorothy built up over 10 years litigation experience working in law firms in New Zealand and the UK.

Before and after completing her degree, Dorothy worked for the Crown Law Office in Wellington. In September 2003, she returned to Hamilton to work in Swarbrick Dixon's litigation team with a particular focus on Local Government and Resource Management Law. Dorothy joined the partnership in April 2007.

Dorothy is also a lecturer at the University of Waikato and is a member of the New Zealand Law Society Branch Council and local Standards Committee.

Outside of work, Dorothy enjoys time with her family, as well as walking, cycling, swimming and generally trying to fit as much variety into her life as possible.

Experience

1987 to 1998

Criminal and civil litigation, debt recovery and commercial litigation support

2001 to 2003

Criminal process team, Crown Law Office

From 2003 with Swarbrick Dixon

• Local government law
• Resource Management law
• Civil litigation
• Court of Appeal, High Court, District Court and Environment Court appearances; and Statutory Boards litigation, mediation, negotiation and advocacy

 

Our Consultant

Deryck Lockhart Walter
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Deryck Walter was born in Christchurch, grew up in Hamilton and holds a Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University of Wellington. He is a Consultant with Swarbrick Dixon & Partners and specialises in:

• Property law including sale and purchases of commercial, residential and rural property, leasing and financing.
• Local government law over a wide range from statutory powers, landtaking, rating, elections and local government information to drafting local Acts of Parliament.
• Family trusts, wills and estates.

Deryck Walter is a member of

• Rotary Club of Hamilton (President 1998 - 1999)
• The Hamilton Club (President 1989 - 1991)
• Waikato WDFF Karamu Trust Board
• Houchen Charitable Trust Board
• A former member of the Waikato Community Hospice Trust Board

Deryck's interests include tramping in the New Zealand bush, photography and an unending search for good wine.

 

Our Associate

Michelle Hooper
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Michelle joined Swarbrick Dixon in 2004 and is one of Swarbrick Dixon's specialists in property law, commercial law and local government law. She became an Associate of the firm in 2008.

In her role she has gained a broad basic background in many aspects of legal practice and she has regularly practiced in the following areas:

• Property law (including residential and commercial conveyancing and relationship property)
• Commercial law
• Local Government and Public Law
• Wills/Trusts/Estates

Michelle has an Honours degree in law from the University of Waikato and holds a Diploma in Exercise Science.

 

Our Staff

Amanda Merrington (nee Scown)
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Amanda was born in Taranaki, grew up in Hamilton and obtained a Bachelor or Laws from the University of Otago

Amanda began her longstanding relationship with Swarbrick Dixon as the firm's Office Junior in 1994. Gaining a taste for the profession, she left to study law returning to the firm in January 2007 as a staff solicitor in the litigation team.

Amanda has 7 years of litigation experience having spent 3 years prosecuting for government agencies in New Zealand and local authorities in the United Kingdom. Amanda's work in the litigation team of Swarbrick Dixon includes:

• Local Government
• Prosecution work
• Relationship property
• Civil litigation/debt recovery

Amanda is a keen traveller and has spent time living in Europe and Asia, and as a sports enthusiast Amanda has run half marathons in 4 different countries. Her time outside of the office is now largely spent with her husband Anthony and their young daughter Lola. When she gets the chance you will find her cycling or running on the scenic Waikato roads.

Christine Pidduck
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Christine is Waikato born and bred. She grew up in Hamilton and obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Waikato in 2001. Following this she worked as a research assistant and junior lecturer at Massey University in the graduate School of Business. Christine was admitted to the High Court as a Barrister and Solicitor in 2003.

Never straying far from her Waikato roots, Christine commenced practice in Te Awamutu in 2003. She then moved to practice in Cambridge and joined Swarbrick Dixon in Hamilton in August 2008.

Christine is a Senior Solicitor in Swarbrick Dixon's litigation team. She practices in all aspects of civil litigation. She is particularly passionate about employment law and enjoys assisting both employers and employees with all employment related issues.

Christine is married with a young daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family, road cycling, mountain biking and travelling.

Claire Feasey
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Claire obtained Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Auckland in 2007. Following travel to Europe and Asia in 2008 she joined Swarbrick Dixon as a law clerk in February 2009. In July 2009 she became a Staff Solicitor upon her admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Claire's work experience at Swarbrick Dixon includes –

• The sale and purchase of residential and commercial properties
• The sale and purchase of businesses
• Contract drafting
• Company law
• Wills/Trusts/Estates
• Relationship property

Outside of work Claire enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is a keen golfer and Rock and Roll dancer.

Fiona Amarasekera
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Fiona was born in Malawi, in Africa and came to New Zealand with her family as a two year old. She obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Waikato in 2008.

Fiona is a Staff Solicitor working in Family Law – this includes Protection Orders, Parenting Orders, Guardianship Issues, Adoptions and Relationship Property.

Fiona was admitted to the Bar on 4 July 2008. Before joining Swarbrick Dixon in September 2009 Fiona practiced at another local firm.

When Fiona is not working she enjoys spending time with family and friends and shopping.