Our Team

Directors

Michael Richardson. Property and Commercial Director.

Michael has an LLB/BA from the University of Auckland and was awarded the Senior Prize in law in 2004.

Michael commenced with the firm in 2006 and oversees Property and Commercial matters. He has extensive experience working on property, residential and commercial and trust matters providing sound and pragmatic advice to all of his clients.

In his spare time Michael is a passionate football player coach for Waitakere City Football Club and supporter of Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

e-mail: michael@thomas.co.nz

John Gandy. Litigation Director.

Member Family Law Section

John graduated from the University of Auckland with degrees in Law and Commerce and was admitted to the bar in 2009. Having commenced practice with the firm in 2010 John oversees the firm’s litigation and disputes resolution matters.

John specialises in Litigation and Relationship Property matters and regularly appears in the Family Court, District and High Courts and the Employment Relations Authority.

He is an approved Legal Aid lawyer with experience in a wide range of civil and family litigation matters.

John is on the executive committee of the Pacific Lawyers Association. Outside of the firm John is a keen musician and basketball tragic.

e-mail: johng@thomas.co.nz


Lawyers

Mary O'Connor. Lawyer

Mary was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court in 2016. Prior to Thomas & Co, Mary worked for a commercial and property law firm, working on a range of complex legal matters from property, commercial, wills and employment law.

Mary is the chair of the Badminton Waitakere Seniors Committee. Outside of the law, Mary enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and hiking the Te Araroa Trail.

e-mail: mary@thomas.co.nz

Chantal Braybrook. Lawyer

Chantal started with the firm in 2021 having graduated from Auckland University BA/LLB and Auckland University of Technology LLM (Criminal Law; First Class). Chantal worked as a Registrar Officer in the High and Judges clerk in the District Courts before joining us.

Chantal works in our Litigation team supporting John in Family and Civil litigation matters.

e-mail: chantal@thomas.co.nz

Danielle Norrie. Lawyer

LLB GDip ArtHist

Danielle has been practising law since 2000, joining the firm in 2021 on the merger with David J Brown & Associates. Prior to joining us, Danielle worked in private practice as a commercial lawyer in Auckland City, in-house in London for 4 years and most recently as legal counsel in one of New Zealand's largest property investment companies. She now specialises in Trust and Commercial Property law.

Outside of work Danielle enjoys spending time with her young family, hiking, running and boating.

e-mail: danielle@thomas.co.nz


Consultants

Don Thomas QSM. Consultant. Notary Public.

Notary Public PLS-Member

Don has been practising law since 1971 having attended school in New Lynn/Avondale/Kelston and practising in the area ever since.

He has unparalleled experience and knowledge of West Auckland and its unique features and attractions.

Don has extensive expertise in property development transactions, commercial transactions and Maori land law. Don is also a notary public having provided notary services since 1977. He is now the first electronic capable Notary in New Zealand.

He is a long serving member of the Auckland Rugby Referees Association and continues to volunteer his time to referee at school and club levels. He is Chairman & Boat Master for the Hawke Sea Scout Group.

e-mail: don@thomas.co.nz

Ray Ganda QSM. Consultant.

Ray has been practising law since 1971. Ray has joined the firm as a director with the merger of his Titirangi practice. He brings with him a wealth of local experience having established the Titirangi Law Centre in 1986.

Ray’s primary areas of practice are Commercial property, Estates and Trust matters.

Ray speaks fluent Gujarati.

e-mail: ray@thomas.co.nz

David Brown. Consultant.

Graduating in 1971, David Brown has practised as a Barrister and Solicitor since. He established David J Brown & Associates in 1988 with the vision of being an approachable, professional practice that works hard to find the best solutions for its clients.

As an active member of the Titirangi community, David is a familiar face in many of the areaʼs organisations including the Titirangi Tennis and Squash Racquets Club where he has been honorary solicitor, the Titirangi Presbyterian Church Board where he has been Chairman, and the New Lynn Rotary Club where he has been a Rotarian since 1979 and has twice been Club President. David was also the secretary of Titirangi Village project, a tremendous venture that led to the creation of the now vibrant Tititrangi Village.

David is a passionate problem solver and thoroughly enjoys working with the diversity of clientele that walk through the doors of his practice each day. And itʼs a passion that is in the blood of the Brown family – Davidʼs wife Linda was the practiceʼs office manager for David J Brown & Associates, and one of his daughters who is also a Solicitor.

e-mail: david@thomas.co.nz


Legal Executives

Deborah Tait

Legal Executive – Property

Deborah has a long history in the law having worked as a legal executive for Titirangi Law Centre for 10 years prior to the merger with Thomas & Co.

Deborah is a qualified Legal executive working with Michael, Don & Ray on the property team. She has primary responsibility for client residential matters.

e-mail: deborah@thomas.co.nz

Chloe Cochrane

Legal Executive – Property and Estates

Chloe commenced work with us in 2014 working as a legal assistant to the property, commercial, trust and estate teams.

From that background and experience she is now a legal executive looking after property and estate matters.

e-mail: chloe@thomas.co.nz

Paula Fletcher

NZILE Fellow – Legal Executive

Paula is a registered legal executive with 20 years plus legal experience. Paula works with Don and his team close to home, enjoying a quick commute to the office allowing extra time with her family.

Paulaʼs main experience is in conveyancing and associated financing matters and enjoys the intensity of the transaction process. She values her ability to take a pragmatic approach to all things that land on her desk. When sheʼs not working she loves to walk, play indoor netball and spend time outdoors on the water with her family.

e-mail: paula@thomas.co.nz


Administration

Raewyn Rogers

Title of Trust Accountant - Office Manager

Raewyn commenced working for Thomas & Co in 1976 as the office junior. She has worked in a number of roles since then and has been our Trust Accountant for over 25 years. She is responsible for the running of the firmʼs accounts and finances and supervises the general administration of the office and its systems.

Outside of work Raewyn enjoys spending time with her family, is an avid TV/Movie fan and loves spending time at Tairua whenever she can.

Raewyn works remotely, attending the office on Fridays for social interaction!

e-mail: raewyn@thomas.co.nz

Lisa Andrewartha

Lisa comes from a legal background in administration in West Auckland Property management and Real Estate offices.

Lisa is usually your first point of contact at our office. She will be able to direct your call or take your enquiry promptly and courteously.

Lisa also manages the roster for local practitioners who volunteer their time to the New Lynn and Avondale Citizenʼs Advice Bureau.

e-mail: lisa@thomas.co.nz