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 Poutini 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 four children in the 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 (buying and selling of businesses).
Outside of work Shannon has a black belt in Okinawan Goju Ryu and has spent time in Okinawa training 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
Alex Blair
Solicitor
Alex is originally from Upper Hutt, but has since relocated to Masterton with her husband.
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
Registered 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
Registered 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
Jacqui Turner
Practice Manager
Jacqui grew up in the Waikato and relocated to the Wairarapa in 2017. Along the way, her time in the New Zealand Navy had a significant impact on her life and continues to influence the way she approaches both work and everyday challenges.
As Practice Manager, Jacqui supports the smooth day‑to‑day running of the firm, working closely with colleagues to ensure systems, processes, and workflows operate efficiently. She brings a broad professional background across retail, home lending, and law offices, which supports a practical, organised approach to keeping the office running well.
Outside of work, Jacqui enjoys spending time with her whānau, being outdoors, and making the most of opportunities to travel and explore new places.
Contact
Email address: jacqui@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Lily More
Legal Secretary
Lily is a Legal Secretary supporting our team and clients, with a calm, friendly approach that helps put others at ease.
Lily grew up in the Wairarapa, before moving to Auckland in 2020. After several years away, she returned in 2024 and has since settled back into life in the region.
Outside of work, Lily enjoys spending time with her family, tending to her plants, and exploring new hobbies—some more enduring than others. A devoted dog lover, she never misses a chance for a pat with our Morale Manager, Billy, or with her own fur babies. In addition to her role as Legal Secretary, Lily is also our resident DJ, keeping morale high with a reliable lineup of day‑to‑day office favourites.
Contact
Email address: lily@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Sabrina Aeto
Legal Secretary
Originally from Porirua, Sabrina has been part of the Masterton community since a young age and values the relationships and connections she builds through her work.
She is a Legal Secretary who offers support to both our team and clients, bringing a confident and approachable style that contributes to a positive client experience. Sabrina is proud to be a member of the Core Legal team and is excited for the future ahead.
Outside of the office, Sabrina enjoys spending time with her nephews and niece, along with listening to music, reading, and travelling whenever the opportunity arises.
Contact
Email address: sabrina@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Joletta Goodall
Front Office Coordinator
Joletta is our Front Office Coordinator, the friendly and welcoming face of our firm. She plays a vital role in ensuring our daily operations run seamlessly while providing every client with a warm, professional, and reassuring experience from the moment they arrive. Alongside her front office responsibilities, Joletta also thoughtfully coordinates our team events and enjoys bringing people together.
Born and raised in the Wairarapa, Joletta is a proud local who values her community and enjoys building genuine, respectful relationships with both longstanding clients and those new to the firm.
Outside the office, Joletta enjoys attending concerts, planning her next shopping trip, baking sweet treats, spending time adventuring with friends, and making the most of sunny beach days.
Contact
Email address: joletta@corelegal.co.nz
Phone: 0800 778 952
Billy Jorgensen
Morale Manager
Billy is the much loved Morale Manager at Core Legal, bringing warmth, playfulness, and a sense of calm to the office each day. With a natural talent for lifting spirits, he has an uncanny ability to brighten even the busiest of days.
Billy takes his duties seriously, particularly when it comes to supervising snack breaks. Regularly seen on office patrol, he excels at fostering a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for the team.
His key specialties include stress reduction, emotional support, and maintaining exceptionally high standards for belly rubs. He also considers it his personal mission to ensure anyone wearing black leaves the office with a complimentary fur coating.
When off duty, Billy enjoys zoomies at Barkley Park, spending quality time with his family, and harmonising enthusiastically with passing sirens.
