Donna Carroll - LLB

​Donna graduated in 1989 and worked in Hawke’s Bay as a family (and criminal) lawyer for 10 years before moving to Gisborne. She returned to the Bay in 2003. Donna is inquisitive rather than adversarial and has a desire to help people in "unfamiliar water". She has considerable experience in all aspects of family law along with conveyancing, wills, trusts and estates. Donna also holds Lawyer for Child approval status from the Family Court.
 
In addition to being a Mum, a Lawyer and a business owner, Donna also serves as treasurer for the Wairoa Waterski Club and likes to remain active waterskiing, walking, doing yoga and paddleboarding. She will compete in any event she can.
 
Donna has somewhat of a sweet tooth and can be relied upon to have something worth raiding if a sugar fix need arose within the office.   

Kirstin Monk - LLB

​Kirstin graduated in 1997 and started work in Hawke’s Bay not long after.   With extensive experience in all aspects of family law, Kirstin particularly enjoys relationship property work and being able to assist her clients through what is often a very difficult time in their life. Kirstin’s workload also includes Court approved Lawyer for Child appointments, acting for young people in the Youth Court who have been charged with a criminal offence and being appointed by the Court to act for vulnerable people under welfare based legislation.
 
Outside of work (and sometimes within work hours) Kirstin has previously donated a lot of time to Blue Light Hastings (an awesome community organisation – please check them out) and to the Heretaunga Women’s Centre. Kirstin is also on the Care and Protection Resource Panel at Child Youth & Family.
 
In winter Kirstin can sometimes go missing from the office to sneak off to the snow to get her downhill speed fix. Exercising is a priority and she is a lover of boot camps and functional movement type classes, as both a participant and trainer..   But Kirstin also eats the most out of anyone in the office so it's all about balance. 
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Shannon McKay - LLB BA

​Shannon graduated in 1999 and initially went to work for the government (not as a secret agent though.). She then worked as a para-legal in London for 3 years before returning home to Hawke’s Bay. Shannon specialises in family law offering awesome service to clients who need help with resolving the care arrangements for their children or need any other family based advice.  Shannon has served as Chairperson for the Havelock North Toy Library and Chairperson of the Home and School Association at her children’s primary school.  She currently is Chairperson of Lucknow School Board of Trustees. Shannon was made an Associate at Bay Legal in 2015.
 
Unlike other solicitors in our office, Shannon does not try and raid other people’s chocolate stockpiles but she is very efficient and organised and her clients love that.  Topping that off is Shannon’s wicked infectious laugh and her ability not to take herself too seriously.

Jess Pearce - Legal Executive

Jess joined us in September 2016 as a legal executive assisting our lawyers with conveyancing transactions.  You will often hear Jess' friendly voice at the end of the line keeping you updated on your conveyancing transaction.

We enjoy hearing about Jess' weekend activities, as the youngest in the office they are often more exciting than ours!  Jess married Tom in the gorgeous setting of the Redwoods at Te Mata in January 2018.  She was a stunning bride and Tom looked pretty good too.

Carley Hewitt - Office Manager

Carley joined us in October 2013 as our Office Manager. Carley is responsible for the smooth day to day running of the office.  Carley can deal with any account queries and often assists on client files as and when required.

Outside of work Carley enjoys time with her family, which generally consists of being somewhere watching sport!.  She stays busy coaching basketball locally at intermediate and secondary school level.  She is extremely thankful the bosses support her coaching ventures as she ducks away early some days to coach.

Kate Woollard - Receptionist

Kate is our most recent addition at Bay Legal joining us in November 2016. It's Kate's friendly and helpful voice that will answer the phone the majority of the time.  Kate is enjoying the change of pace working in our busy law firm.  Kate can often be relied upon for a stash of lollies at reception.

Kate has a full house at the moment with all the family back under one roof.  She is loving having her grand-daughter staying with them and being an active Nan.