Welcome to Keesing McLeod

Please feel free to explore our website to learn how our highly skilled and experienced team can provide the legal services and solutions you require.

Our People

These are the people on our team and the knowledge and skills they offer you:

 

John Comerford, LLB

John Comerford, LLB

 Partner 

Professional Profile

  • Extensive commercial and private client practice throughout New Zealand.
  • Business sales and acqusitions.
  • Commercial, industrial and rural leasing.
  • Commercial, industrial, rural and residential property sales and acquisitions.
  • Wills, family trusts, asset protection and succession planning.
  • Estate administration.
  • Wine industry law, including sales and acquisitions, restructuring, marketing and sales.

Personal Profile

  • Married to Christine with six adult daughters and seven grandchildren.
  • Former international wine judge, wine consultant and now involved in wine governance. 
  • Interests include travel, wine and food, classical music, most sport and gymnasium.
john.comerford@keesingmcleod.co.nz

Jamie Steele, LLB AAMINZ

 Partner 

 

 Professional Profile 

  • Litigation Partner responsible for all Court related work at Keesing McLeod. His speciality areas are family and employment law.
  • Extensive family law practice representing clients in relationship property, parenting (custody) and contact matters.
  • Senior Lawyer for the Child, often appointed by the Family Court to represent children in matters that come before the Court.
  • Member of the Legal Aid Authority Solicitor Approval Committee and a past member of the Wellington Family Law Association Committee.
  • Mediation.
  • Associate member of the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand Inc.
  • Civil litigation, debt collection, and Accident Compensation claims.
  • Accredited FDR provider under new Family Court system.

Personal Profile

  • Married to Sue with three adult children.
  • Interests include fitness and dancing Argentine tango. 
jamie.steele@keesingmcleod.co.nz
          

 Ben Davie, LLB BCA

Ben Davie, LLB BCA

Partner 

 

 

Professional Profile

  • Ben is a Partner of the firm.

  • Business sales and acquisitions.

  • Commercial and industrial leasing.

  • Commercial, industrial and residential sales and acquisitions.

  • Wills, family trusts, asset protection and succession planning.

  • Estate administration.

 Personal Profile

  • Married to Lisa with a new daughter.

  • A keen fan of football (including the Wellington Phoenix), basketball and cricket, and has played all three in the past. 

  • Other interests include Classic Hollywood film and travel, and he spends much of his spare time doing cryptic crosswords.

ben.davie@keesingmcleod.co.nz

 

 Don Battah, LLB BA PGDipA

 Don Battah, LLB BA PGDipA

Partner

Professional Profile

  • Don is a Partner of the firm.
  • Business sales and acquisitions.
  • Commercial and industrial leasing.
  • Commercial, industrial and residential sales and acquisitions.
  • Wills, family trusts, asset protection and succession planning.
  • Estate administration.
  • Immigration applications and advice.

 Personal Profile

  • Married to Lynda with three children.
  • Eclectic interests include most sport, cinema, concerts, dramatic arts, travel and generally enjoying life to the full.
  • Community interests include the work of Rotary, Victim Support and the Wellington Free Ambulance. 

 don.battah@keesingmcleod.co.nz

 Peter McLeod, LLM

 Consultant 

 Professional Profile

  • Over 50 years legal practice in the Hutt Valley. 

  • Business sales and acquisitions.

  • Commercial and industrial leasing.
  • Commercial, industrial and residential property sales and acquisitions.
  • Wills, family trusts, asset protection and succession planning.
  • Estate administration.
  • Charities and not-for-profit organisations.

 Personal Profile

  • Married to Dale with six adult children and six grandchildren.

  • Wide and varied involvement in community and church affairs. 

  • Interests and leisure activities include reading, bridge, golf, bowls and walking. 

peter.mcleod@keesingmcleod.co.nz