New Associates appointed

National and trans-Tasman law firm Duncan Cotterill has appointed five new associates, including two resource management specialists.

Sarah Thornton, of Christchurch, advises clients on a wide range of resource management and environmental issues. Recent projects have seen her represent clients at district council, regional council, and Environment Court hearings.

Hans van der Wal joins the RM team after 11 years’ experience implementing the Resource Management Act and other local government legislation in local government bodies, both in Auckland and most recently as in-house counsel for Environment Canterbury.

Ayleath Foote is part of the commercial litigation team. She joined Duncan Cotterill in 2007 after several years in London working for a top five law firm where she specialised in financial services litigation. Ayleath previously worked for a major Auckland law firm. She has a particular interest in alternative dispute resolution.

Ruvini Rendle, in the Wellington office, specialises in intellectual property with a particular interest in trade marks. She assists clients to manage their national and international intellectual property portfolios. She is a member of the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Licensing Executives Society of New Zealand and Australia.

Malcolm Morrison, also based in the capital, has broad experience of commercial and property law. During much of 2007 he was seconded from Duncan Cotterill to the Department of Building and Housing, where he worked as in-house counsel. While on secondment, Malcolm advised extensively on the Building Act 2004.

Chief executive Janice Fredric said the associate appointments demonstrated the depth of knowledge and respective specialist expertise within Duncan Cotterill.

Duncan Cotterill has more than 100 lawyers, including 29 partners, among its offices in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Nelson and Sydney.

For further information, contact:

Janice Fredric, chief executive, 03 379 2430, 021 227 2066, j.fredric@DuncanCotterill.com

Location http://www.duncancotterill.com/index.cfm/1,159,451,0,html