TRACEY PATIENT
-
PARTNER -
[email protected]

  • Born and bred in Canterbury, Tracey graduated from Canterbury University in 1992. She was admitted to the bar as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1993. Prior to forming Patient & Williams, Tracey practiced for 16 years at an inner city law firm, where she began as a graduate solicitor in 1993 and became a partner in 2006.

    Tracey’s practice focuses on all aspects of property law, including property transactions, leases, subdivisions, business matters, estate administration, wills and trusts. Tracey acts for individuals as well as developers and investors. She is a member of the Property Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society and the Elder Law Committee.

    Tracey is married and the mother of three children. She enjoys travel, boating, cooking and spending time with her two dogs.

CLAYTON WILLIAMS
-
PARTNER -
[email protected]

  • Clayton was admitted to the bar in 2002 and after travelling, commenced his career in Manchester, England, working for a firm that specialised in criminal law. Returning home to Christchurch in 2006, he worked as a general practitioner in a central city law firm, before forming Patient & Williams in 2009.

    Clayton deals with the firm’s litigation, representing clients in the District Court (including Family Court), High Court and Employment Relations Authority. Clayton supports alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and negotiation as a way of resolving disputes. Clayton also spends time volunteering at Community Law Canterbury.

    Clayton is married and a proud father of two. When not spending time with his family, Clayton enjoys paddleboarding and playing squash.

GARY KNIGHT
-
CONSULTANT -
[email protected]

  • After completing his degree at Canterbury, when the law faculty was still based in what is now the Arts Centre, Gary was admitted in 1973. He has worked in Christchurch since then, in several legal firms, including 23 years running his own firm, before joining Patient & Williams in 2015 as a consultant.

    He has wide experience in commercial law, residential conveyancing, farming law, estates trusts and wills, and elder law.

    He is an experienced photographer, and an enthusiastic recycler of old jokes.

SKYE STOKES
-
ASSOCIATE -
[email protected]

  • Skye graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in May 2015 and a BA from the University of Otago in 2012. Skye joined the team at Patient & Williams in June 2015 and assisted Tracey Patient with conveyancing transactions. She now assists Clayton Williams with the firm’s litigation matters representing clients in the District Court and Family Court.

    In her spare time Skye enjoys playing netball and golf and volunteers part time at Community Law Canterbury.

NIKKI STEPKOWSKI
-
ASSOCIATE -
[email protected]

  • Nikki is a Registered Legal Executive who has worked at Patient & Williams since October 2012, having previously worked with Tracey and Clayton at another inner-city law firm for over 5 years.

    With nearly 20 years’ experience in the industry, Nikki has worked in most areas of the law, but now focuses on assisting the firm with commercial and residential conveyancing, estate administration, company incorporation and administration, wills and enduring powers of attorney, separation and relationship property. She also undertakes the firm trust accounting, oversees the AML/CFT compliance and acts as PA to Gary Knight.

    In her spare time, Nikki enjoys spending time with her family, socialising and playing Pool and Softball.

REBECCA WILLIAMS
-
SOLICITOR -
[email protected]

  • Rebecca started working at Patient & Williams in 2014 as a family law secretary, after completing a BA at Canterbury University and while taking a break from studying her LLB. She took maternity leave in 2015 and during this time completed her LLB and was admitted to the bar in July 2017. She now works part time primarily administering the firm’s Trust and Estate clients.

    Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband and two young boys, enjoying the outdoors and being creative in the kitchen.

LAURA VAN WESSEL
-
LEGAL EXECUTIVE -
[email protected]

  • Laura joined Patient & Williams in 2020 as a graduate Legal Executive.

    In her first year of practice, Laura assisted the property team. In 2021, Laura is transitioning to the litigation and family team to expand her legal knowledge into these areas of law as well.

    In her spare time Laura enjoys keeping fit, gardening and photography

JASMINE MURRAY
-
LEGAL EXECUTIVE -
[email protected]

  • Jasmine is a Legal Executive with 15 years’ experience in a legal office.

    Jasmine has been working for Tracey and Clayton since Patient & Williams opened its doors in April 2009.

    In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys spending time with her husband and two young sons, socialising with family and friends and travelling.

ASHLEE SMITH
-
LEGAL ASSISTANT -
[email protected]

  • Ashlee joined the firm in May 2021 as personal assistant to Clayton Williams. Ashlee has an extensive background in administration and she is continuing to expand her knowledge in law and grow her skill set within the firm.

    Ashlee has a keen interest in tourism and travelling so she is always planning or thinking about her next overseas holiday and she enjoys trying new restaurants.

SOPHIE DEAZLEY
-
LEGAL ASSISTANT -
[email protected]

  • Sophie moved to the Garden City from Feilding in early 2018 to complete a Criminal Justice Degree at Canterbury University. She joined Patient & Williams in April 2021, starting her career at reception. In 2022, Sophie took on the role of legal assistant to Skye Stokes and enjoys working in the criminal and family law areas.

    In her spare time, Sophie enjoys travelling, visiting new restaurants in Christchurch and spending time with her friends and family.

LAURA PATIENT
-
LEGAL ASSISTANT -
[email protected]

  • Laura recently joined the firm in January 2022. She is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology at the University of Canterbury.

    Laura assists in a range of matters including trust, property, criminal, and family matters.

    In her spare time Laura enjoys travelling, surfing, and walking her two dogs.