Peter has been part of CLM’s story for more than four decades, having first joined the firm in 1980 and becoming a Partner just three years later. He stepped back from partnership in 2017 but he continues to work as a Consultant, sharing his wealth of knowledge in trusts, wills and estate planning. If he dares utter the word “retirement,” his colleagues quickly shut him down and change the subject.
Over the years, Peter has guided countless families through the intricacies of succession planning and inheritance, and has in some cases worked with three generations of the same family to continue running businesses and managing key assets. From setting up trusts to managing estates and drafting wills, he’s seen just about every scenario the legal world can throw at him. His secret? Listening carefully, asking the right questions, and tailoring solutions to each unique family dynamic – particularly important in today’s world of blended families.
Around the office, Peter is admired for his vast experience and steady hand. He’s also proof that a legal career can outlast typewriters, carbon paper, and the dawn of email. He relishes the fact that some Partners weren’t even born when he first joined CLM – and he is more than happy to remind them during any office banter.
Outside of work, you’ll often find Peter at his happy place: trout fishing on Lake Taupō, where he keeps a boat near his family bach at Kinloch. A keen tramper, he has also completed all of New Zealand’s Great Walks. These days, his proudest role is “Poppa” to his young granddaughter, Rubi.
