TRACEY PATIENT
- PARTNER -
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  • 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 -
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  • 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 -
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  • 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 used jokes.

REBECCA WILLIAMS
- ASSOCIATE -
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  • 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.

JASMINE MURRAY
- ASSOCIATE -
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  • Jasmine is a Legal Executive with 22 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.

HARRY ARNOTT
- SOLICITOR -
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  • Harry joined the firm as a law clerk in April 2024 after completing his LLB at Canterbury University. He was admitted to the bar in September 2024 and now assists Clayton Williams with the firm’s criminal and family law matters.  

    In his free time, Harry enjoys going to the cinema and hiking in the Banks Peninsula and the Southern Alps

RISHIKA SINHA
- SOLICITOR -
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  • Rishika graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences, and was admitted to the bar in 2023.

    She previously interned at a Melbourne-based commercial boutique law firm that focused on startups and a New Zealand-based large law firm in the property and resource management teams. Rishika joined the Patient & Williams team in July 2023.

    Rishika works together with Tracey, undertaking property law, commercial law and private client work. She deals with the sale and purchase of residential and commercial properties, Occupation Right Agreements, subdivisions, house and land packages, commercial leases, bank guarantees, boundary adjustments, relationship property agreements and preparation of company and trust documentation. She has experience drafting wills and enduring powers of attorney. 

    Rishika is fluent in Hindi (reading, writing, and speaking).

    In her spare time, you will find Rishika hiking, eating hotpot, reading about new technology or anything by Michio Kaku and snowboarding at Mt Hutt.

SOPHIE DEAZLEY
- LEGAL ASSISTANT -
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  • 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 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.

ASHLEE SMITH
- LEGAL ASSISTANT -
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  • 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.

JASMINE NEALE
- LEGAL ASSISTANT -
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  • Jasmine brings her broad experience in real estate to her role as a legal secretary in the conveyancing team, a position she moved into from reception in early 2024. Her background in real estate has given her a solid foundation for this role, and she’s excited to apply her skills to new challenges.

    Outside of work, Jasmine loves spending time in the countryside with her partner, their two kids, and their Border Collies. She also enjoys taking care of her chickens and soaking up the peacefulness of rural life.

CAITLYN WARD
- LEGAL ASSISTANT -
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  • Caitlyn joined Patient & Williams in April 2024 as a receptionist. After recently completing her Criminal Justice degree at the University of Canterbury in 2023, Caitlyn is enthusiastic to explore various areas of law while supporting the wider team.

    Outside of work, Caitlyn enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

LAURA PATIENT
- LEGAL ASSISTANT -
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  • Laura 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.