Craig Griffin & Lord | Our People | Comprehensive Legal Services

Our People

David Griffin

Partner

David has been practising as a solicitor since 1975, including his partnership role since 1986.

David’s interests in the law include civil litigation, conveyancing, trust and estate work. He is also the trust account partner and responsible for our IT.

David’s other interests include rugby, cricket and Alfa Romeos. He is a trustee of numerous private trusts as well as having served on the Board of Trustees of Mount Albert Grammar School and as a past president of its Albertians Association.

David is married with three adult children, one of whom has followed her father into the law.

Louise Waugh

Partner

Email: louise@cglord.co.nz

Louise first qualified as a legal executive before undertaking her studies for a law degree as a mature student. She joined us shortly before her admission to the bar in 2005, became an Associate in November 2008 and joined the partnership in December 2013. Louise practices civil litigation (including debt recovery and enforcement), family law, conveyancing and estate work.

When not in the office Louise enjoys spending time with her two adult children. She is a part-time volunteer for the charity Dress for Success, and a member of the Auckland Women Lawyers’ Association.

Chris Lord

Consultant

Email: chris@cglord.co.nz

Chris has been practising law in Auckland since 1987, before that time working in country practices in Te Awamutu and Kaitaia. He was a partner with us for over 30 years.

Chris practises in the areas of conveyancing, commercial transactions, trusts and relationship property.

His personal interests outside of the office include travel and mastering golf, his attempts being markedly unsuccessful to date, although he can boast of two holes-in-one. Chris is married with four adult children, two being qualified lawyers. He enjoys family time with his growing number of grandchildren.

Mansi Rathod

Associate

Email: mansi@cglord.co.nz

Mansi joined Craig Griffin and Lord in 2016. She specialises in providing advice and support on commercial and civil litigation matters across a wide range of areas including contractual disputes, tort, construction, insolvency and debt recovery and employment disputes. She has experience in both the High Court and District Court and has assisted clients at all levels of disputes, ranging from trials, to settlement conferences and negotiations.

Mansi holds a Master of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Law from the University of Auckland, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Law, and a Bachelors of Commerce majoring in finance and management.

Mansi is fluent in English, Guajarati and Hindi. Outside of work, Mansi enjoys road trips and hiking (short) trails across New Zealand.

Noeleen Taylor

Legal Executive

Email: noeleen@cglord.co.nz

Noeleen has had an association with us since 1972.She commenced practice as a conveyancer after graduating with a BA in English and Political Studies and completed the first Legal Executives Certificate course in 1974. After a break at home with two daughters between 1977 and 1985 she returned to her former role which she has enlarged to include a keen interest in trust work.

Noeleen works three days of the week, reserving her days off to spend as much as possible with her school aged grandchildren.

She is complemented in her practice by fellow legal executive, Lisa Estie.

Lisa Estie

Legal Executive

Email: lisa@cglord.co.nz

Lisa Estie has over 30 years’ experience as a Legal Executive. Lisa’s areas of practice are conveyancing, leasing, subdivisions, trusts, wills and enduring powers of attorney. When not at work (which is not often) Lisa enjoys crafts and reading.

Shiraan Dunn

Staff Solicitor

Email: shiraan@cglord.co.nz

Shiraan was admitted to the bar in 2012 after completing a conjoint BA/LLB at the University of Canterbury. Following this she moved north where she worked in Hamilton at the District Court, and then for law firm Almao Douch before making the move to Auckland where she commenced practice in litigation and family law.

Shiraan joined the firm in 2018 and primarily practices in the areas of conveyancing with a keen interest in relationship property, trusts and estate work.

Outside of the office Shiraan enjoys spending time with her family, travel (particularly to destinations which have access to the best theme parks) and attending cult favourite F45.

Violeta Tuyay

Staff Solicitor

Email: violeta@cglord.co.nz

After being admitted to the bar in 2015, Violeta moved to Hong Kong to intern in the Intellectual Property Department of the Hong Kong Government. She then relocated to Wellington to join the litigation teams at Crown Law and Inland Revenue. Then deciding to move into private practice, Violeta moved back to Auckland where she now practices in litigation and commercial law.

Outside of the office Violeta enjoys the odd game of amateur tennis, theatre, painting and photography. Having travelled through Europe, Asia and North America, Violeta is eager to continue combining her passion for travelling and the arts by visiting as many art galleries and performance theatres as she possibly can all over the world.