About
About Our Team
Core Legal is a team with a passion for helping our clients. We saw a need to create a practice that uses the latest technology and systems to deliver excellent service and value to our clients as efficiently as possible.
Our Core Values
We care about our clients and view our role as more than just a business relationship. We have created a great team who enjoys life. We treat our clients like friends and family and it’s important to us we look after your needs.
We will act with integrity and do what we say we’re going to do.
We will provide expert knowledge.
We will communicate with you clearly and in a timely manner.
We care.
Meet The Team
The Core Legal team are made up of experts in their field.
Find out more about them below and reach out to them on LinkedIn or via our contact page.
Shannon Norling
Director
Ko Ngai Tahu te Iwi, Ko Ngati Waewae te hapu. Raised in Greytown, Shannon went to Greytown Primary School, Kuranui College and is now raising his three children in the Wairarapa with one son in the work force, one son at Wairarapa College and a daughter at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa.
Shannon is a jack of all trades and was a painter/plasterer prior to studying law. Having worked with his hands on building sites for many years, Shannon brings a unique problem solving perspective to the practice of law, often thinking outside the box to solve the issues on the table and add value to client needs.
Shannon was admitted to the bar in 2005, has practised in the Waikato, Gold Coast and was a previous Partner of Gawith Burridge. Shannon’s main area of expertise is dealing with relationship property, Contracting Out Agreements (a.k.a pre-nuptial agreements) and separation agreements/disputes together with all general property matters including commercial and business transactions.
Outside of work Shannon has a black belt in Okinawan Goju Ryu and travelled to Okinawa in 2019 for three weeks to train with top karate masters from all over the world. He also enjoys paua diving, camping and carving pounamu when time allows.
Contact
Email address: shannon@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952 Mobile: 027 936 5495
Christian Jorgensen
Director
Christian Jorgensen originally comes from Wellington and graduated with Law and Science degrees from Victoria University in 2003.
With over 15 years of legal experience he initially practised in Wellington as an environmental and construction law specialist for several years.
Following an overseas working holiday as a chef (yes, he can cook), Christian was dragged up to the sunny Wairarapa in 2008 by his then girlfriend (now wife) and he moved into general practice advising across a range of areas but with an emphasis on property law including subdivisions, residential and rural conveyancing, commercial leases, licences and refinancing. Turns out the wife’s hunch was right – Christian loves the Wairarapa and his work, and has been here ever since.
A keen family man, when not playing with his children, Christian enjoys the outdoors and the simple pleasures of country living. If he’s not in his office chair, he may be found skiing, playing the drums or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
Contact
Email address: christian@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Mobile:(027) 335 5050
Nick Newbery
Senior Solicitor
Raised in Manawatu, Nick moved to the Wairarapa in 2010 with his wife to raise their family. They have three beautiful girls and own a very successful local early childhood education centre – Puãwai.
Nick was a Police Detective and Prosecutor where he gained experience in investigating and resolving complex legal issues and developed very effective communication and problem-solving skills.
Nick studied law while in the Police. He was admitted to the bar in 2014 while prosecuting for the Police. He left the Police in 2018 to pursue a career as a lawyer, starting in general practice at a local Wairarapa firm before specialising in Court related work at a boutique litigation firm.
Nick has a diverse range of legal experience with complimentary qualifications and skills to enable him to provide an expert and bespoke service and assist you with whatever problem you may have (or more importantly do not want to have).
When not at work Nick enjoys spending quality time with his family, watching sport and enjoying a beer or gin.
Areas of interest include; relationship property, employment, estate disputes and health and safety.
Contact
Email address: nick@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Kathryn Jorgensen
Senior Solicitor
Kathryn was born and bred in the Wairarapa, into a well-known local farming family. Having started her education at Hadlow School, she completed an LTCL from the Trinity College of London in performance violin in 1996 before moving to the big smoke to study Law and Music at Victoria University. After graduating from university in 2003, Kathryn spent three years overseas doing her OE and on her return home in 2007, started her career as a lawyer at a local firm. Kathryn has practised law in Masterton for the last 13 years.
Kathryn’s areas of expertise include wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, residential care subsidies and residential care loans, occupation licences and admission agreements for rest homes, asset planning, gifting, relationship property, and claims against estates.
Kathryn is married to Christian, and they have two young children. In her spare time, Kathryn is the secretary of the Wairarapa Community Orchestra, and can be found playing the violin in the orchestra. She enjoys doing lots of different things, but after working, looking after the family and playing the violin, there’s not much time left to do them!
Kathryn works part time, from 9am to 2:30pm, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Contact
Email address: kathryn@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Feng (Linda) Chen
Solicitor
In 1998, Linda, alongside her husband and son, immigrated to New Zealand. Over the first three years, they resided in various locations, including Auckland, Taupo, New Plymouth, and Dunedin, driven by employment prospects.
Linda’s Grandfather and Great Grandfather were Lawyers in China before 1949 which set the platform for Linda having an interest in law from a young age. However, her father discouraged her from studying law, so she studied science and worked at the largest multibillion dollar petrol/chemical corporation in China. Once Linda and her husband were settled in New Zealand Linda embarked on her legal journey and commenced her law degree at the University of Otago in 2003, successfully graduating in 2007. Early in 2008, she gained admission to the legal profession and then dedicated nine years to a distinguished career at a Dunedin law firm, progressing from a Law Clerk to Solicitor and then Associate.
Linda’s legal experience shines in diverse domains, notably property transactions, business transactions, leases and trust work. Her proficiency extends to general legal areas, reflecting a genuine passion for client assistance. Fluent in Mandarin, Linda’s bilingualism enhances her ability to cater to a diverse clientele.
Beyond her legal career, Linda ventured into the tourism industry, managing accommodation rights at the scenic Mt. Maunganui for four years. Her experience in hosting global holidaymakers contributed to a rich understanding of diverse perspectives. Additionally, Linda has an interest in New Zealand’s share markets, consistently monitoring top companies.
In her leisure pursuits, Linda finds joy in dancing, music appreciation, and culinary endeavors. Notably, her Chinese steamed buns have earned the admiration of her son and grandchildren as family favorites.
Contact
Email address: linda@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Alex Blair
Solicitor
Alex originally hails from Upper Hutt. She moved to Christchurch with her family and went on to graduate from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Laws. After graduation she moved to Ashburton where she began her career in law.
Alex has relocated with her husband to Masterton to be closer to family and friends. She is passionate about helping clients and looks forward to forging lasting relationships within the Masterton community. She enjoys assisting clients with a wide variety of work, her areas of practice include property transactions, trust work, and estate planning.
Outside of work Alex enjoys spending time with loved ones, listening to music, or curling up with a good book.
Contact
Email address: alex@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Mia Riddell
Legal Executive
I started off wearing gumboots, while relief milking on dairy farms. I then traded in the cows to work as an early childhood educator. After realising I needed more adult interaction I moved my career focus to banking. I was giving financial and insurance advice while promoting electronic services, after realising that I was potentially making my role redundant, I decided to change my focus, yet again, and moved to Law. Starting as a Personal Assistant to four senior Solicitors, I was inspired to do my Legal Executive Diploma.
I enjoy helping clients on their journey to purchasing their first home and in any other areas I can. I am happy to be a part of the Core Legal team and look forward the future ahead of me.
Contact
Email address: mia@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Chelsea Beech
Legal Executive
Born and raised in the Wairarapa, Chelsea purchased her first home with her partner in 2020 and is in the process of completing renovations. In early 2022 Obi the Labrador joined her family, occasionally you will find him doing zoomies around the office.
Chelsea began her career in law as a receptionist for a small Carterton firm in 2018, very quickly working her way up to Personal Assistant and having completed her diploma in Legal Executive studies in July 2021, becoming a Registered Legal Executive in November 2021. Chelsea then joined the Core Legal team in February 2022.
Chelsea has a keen interest in Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Conveyancing, Estate work and is constantly looking to expand her knowledge in other areas as well. Chelsea strives to help her clients as much as possible and understands that it’s not always easy for them to make it into the office, so you will often find she is happy to meet her clients at their homes, care homes or in hospital.
Outside of the office Chelsea likes to spend her time with her family, road tripping to visit friends in Taranaki and loves a good TV series binge.
Contact
Email address: chelsea@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Sarah Kaye
Office Administration
Sarah moved from inner city Wellington to a lifestyle property in Opaki 20 years ago, seeing the Wairarapa as a great place to raise a family.
Her career background is print production, working at advertising agencies and a print consultancy firm in Wellington and later with real estate sales and administration in the Wairarapa, have proved a great fit in her role at Core Legal as reception and administration.
With boys now at University and beyond, Sarah enjoys her garden – in particular her dahlia patch, olive grove, sheep, cats and elderly chooks.
Contact
Email address: sarah@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Ruth James
Legal Secretary/Accounts
Ruth was born and lived in the Auckland region as a child and then moved to Palmerston North in for her teenage years. Ruth’s first job was as a legal receptionist for a Palmerston North law firm and she remained there for 12 years, becoming an experienced Legal Secretary and Trust Accountant during that time.
In 2016 Ruth moved back to Auckland and worked in both the legal profession and other businesses including some temporary placements where she enjoyed the challenges of having to quickly learn a range of different systems.
During the first Covid-19 lockdown, Ruth and her partner purchased a property in the Wairarapa and moved down here in mid-2020.
Gardening, crafts and animals are all important to Ruth along with a passion for op-shopping wherever she goes.
Contact
Email address: ruth@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Hannah Hughes
Legal Secretary
Hannah was born in Rotorua, her childhood was spent in Lower Hutt before moving to the Wairarapa in 2006. Starting off in retail Hannah then moved on to administration at the Masterton District Council for 5 years in Animal Services, gaining a qualification in Dog Psychology and Training. She has worked in various industries over the last decade and enjoys getting to know new people from all walks of life.
After the birth of her son, Hannah moved into Real Estate as an administrator and Trust accountant where she worked for 3 years until the birth of her second child. For the last 3 years she has been working as a Personal Assistant for two real estate agents in the Wairarapa and in this time gained her NZ Certificate in Real Estate Level 4 (Salesperson), then becoming licensed to sell Real Estate in 2022.
Outside of work Hannah enjoys being outdoors, is a keen camper and loves hitting the gym every morning as part of her selfcare routine. She’s very family orientated and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two kids. She enjoys dancing and introducing her children to all kinds of cultures and music.
Ready for a change in industry Hannah joins our team with a vast background in real estate, customer service and a keen attitude to grow and broaden her knowledge.
Contact
Email address: hannah@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Emma Howat
Legal Secretary
Hey there! Emma is a parent of five, ranging from teens, primary school aged, and a three-year-old who likes to run her household. She is a law student who has just started her last year. Emma also loves to garden. My days are full of a mix involving legal jargon, navigating the wild adventures of parenting and playing in the dirt-literally!
As she dives into her law books, she often finds herself dreaming of a future where she can help others and maybe even make the law be a tad more fun. Her little ones keep her grounded and remind her that life is full of the little things, like dance parties in the living room and epic snack negotiations.
When she is not deciphering case law or trying to remember where she put her coffee, you can find her in the garden, her happy place. Whether she is coaxing tomatoes to grow or to keep her house plants alive, she finds joy in nurturing life. Gardening teaches her patience, creativity and that sometimes the best things bloom when you least expect them to.
Contact
Email address: emma@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Laura Lewis
Legal Secretary
Laura was born and raised in Wellington, moving over to the Wairarapa in 2017 to blend her and her now husbands’ family before their son was born in 2018.
Laura hails from an extensive background in customer service as well as working as an Executive Assistant in Central and Local Government.
When Laura moved to the Wairarapa she left her role within Central Government and started a new challenge as a Recruitment Consultant in Masterton, this was a good way for Laura to dive into the world of the Wairarapa and learn about the community and businesses. She was able to build an extensive network of clients and candidates within this time.
Wanting to make a change in career Laura has decided to dive into a new challenge as a Legal Secretary with Core Legal.
Outside of work, you will see Laura at home with her husband and children watching movies or playing some good old fashioned backyard games in the summer. She also plays darts either at home or with a social team and in winter you will see her on the sideline of her son’s rugby games, and her daughter’s netball games actively cheering them on, in the afternoons she will be cheering on the Carterton Prems. While being born and bred in New Zealand, Laura supports the Irish rugby team instead of the All Blacks.
Contact
Email address: laura@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Jacqui Turner
Practice Manager / Trust Accountant
Jacqui hails from the Waikato region where she spent her childhood in the cozy town of Te Awamutu. In 2017 Jacqui relocated to the Wairarapa with her family of four children.
Life in the Wairarapa has been a whirlwind of activity for Jacqui, with her kids keeping the household lively. Her daughter is thriving at Makoura College while her two sons are soaking up knowledge at Lakeview Primary.
Jacqui’s journey has been quite the adventure, from her school days at Te Awamutu College to her time in the Navy, where she gained a variety of life skills that helped shape who she is today. With a decade in retail, five years home lending and another five in law office, Jacqui’s expertise spans a wide range of knowledge and skills.
When she’s not juggling the demands of daily life, Jacqui loves nothing more than spending quality time with her whanau, and she’s always up for a bit of outdoor fun, whether it’s a leisurely tramp or trying her hand at hunting and diving. Exploring new destinations and travelling are high on her list, igniting her sense of adventure.
Contact
Email address: jacqui@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
