First elected to NZ LAW’s board in 2021, Shehan de Silva is one of the commercial partners at Corcoran French in Christchurch and specialises in commercial, property and company law, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. He also leads Corcoran French’s local government practice, providing strategic, commercial and legal advice in this area. Shehan provides guidance on the acquisition and disposal of key infrastructure and advises on key policies and property developments. He succeeds Hamilton lawyer, Dan Moore, who has retired from NZ LAW’s board. 

New director, Chris Steenstra is a partner in Hamilton law firm Norris Ward McKinnon and leads its commercial corporate team. He is a specialist contracts lawyer, drafting complex bespoke contracts, who advises on business structuring and financing, joint ventures, specialist ICT advice, financial markets/capital raising, franchising, insolvency and restructuring and not-for-profit entities. Chris is a trustee of the Cake Detective Charitable Trust and is a former trustee of the Hamilton Boys’ High Foundation Trust. Chris succeeds Palmerston North lawyer Melissa Bourke, who has retired from NZ LAW’s board after six years.  

These appointments took effect on 11 October 2024. 

NZ LAW’s board of directors now comprises: 

• Shehan de Silva, Corcoran French, Christchurch (Chair) 

• Amanda Crehan, Atkinson Crehan Law, Nelson 

• Jane Fletcher, Downie Stewart, Dunedin 

• Greg Kelly, Greg Kelly Law Ltd, Wellington 

• Chris Steenstra, Norris Ward McKinnon, Hamilton and 

• Sam Walker, Gillespie Young Watson, Lower Hutt. 

NZ LAW Limited is a national network of law firms with its head office in Napier. The group was established in 1992 and currently has 63 member firms, nearly 260 partner/directors and approximately 1,500 legal and support staff working in more than 100 locations. These firms practise a wide range of legal disciplines ranging from business law, property law, dispute resolution and intellectual property to aviation law and viticulture.