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, going to the gym 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. 
 
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 and is a Board Member of Havelock North Intermediate 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.

Rebekah Anderton, LLB, BA


Rebekah graduated from Victoria University in 2007 with an Arts degree and from Auckland University in 2009 with her Law degree.  Rebekah is a Hawke's Bay girl and was previous Deputy Head girl at Flaxmere College,  She returned to Hawke's Bay in 2010 to work at the Hawke's Bay Community Law Centre as a solicitor and for the last 5 and a half years has worked for both the Ministry of Social Development and Oranga Tamariki.  Rebekah has a huge amount of expertise in the Oranga Tamariki Act, and specialises in family law. 
 
Since returning to Hawke's Bay, Rebekah has previously served as the secretary for the Heretaunga Women’s Centre for three years, has been President of the Napier Pirates Netball Committee and has held the position of both Secretary and squash Chair/committee member at the Hastings Tennis and Squash Club.  Rebekah has taken a step back from committee work and enjoys spending time with her family.  

Rebekah's presence has added another fun layer to the office.  Her chat and laughter is contagious and we are delighted to have her as part of the Bay Legal Team.  The occasional visits from the very cute Mr 4-year-old are an added bonus ! When celebrating Rebekah's birthday, we can now confirm that she is an A++ baker - the chocolate cake was delicious.

Nicole Soucie, BA, JD (Canada)


​Nicole is a Canadian native who moved to New Zealand in February 2019.

Nicole obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Sociology) in 2010 and her Juris Doctor Degree in 2013 at the University of Windsor, Canada.

Nicole was admitted to the bar in Ontario, Canada in June 2014. Following this, Nicole worked as in-house counsel for government child protection agencies (Oranga Tamariki equivalent) in Toronto and surrounding areas from 2014 to early 2019 with a break in 2018 to travel the world.

Nicole joined Bay Legal in June 2019 and began her practice here as a Solicitor after her admission to the New Zealand bar in July 2020. Nicole specialises in family law.
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