LLB, BCom (University of New South Wales)
Professional Background
Teresa has been practising law since 1992.
She started her legal career with the national law Firm Buddle Findlay in Wellington doing work for banks, large corporates and Crown Health Enterprises (now District Health boards). In 1994, she moved down to Dunedin to join the second largest law firm in Dunedin, Gallaway Cook Allan, where she did work for listed companies and local authorities trading enterprises and also gained experience in immigration law.
In 2003 she moved to Webb Farry and joined the partnership in 2004. At Webb Farry, Teresa worked with many small to medium sized businesses and also gained experience as a property lawyer and other areas of law such as family trusts, trademarks, and relationship property.
In 2011, Teresa set up her own practice to provide specialist and boutique services in the property, business and immigration areas to international and New Zealand clients.
Read more »(LLB, BCom, University of New South Wales)
Professional Background
Teresa has been practising law since 1992.
She started her legal career with the national law Firm Buddle Findlay in Wellington doing work for banks, large corporates and Crown Health Enterprises (now District Health boards). In 1994, she moved down to Dunedin to join the second largest law firm in Dunedin, Gallaway Cook Allan, where she did work for listed companies and local authorities trading enterprises and also gained experience in immigration law.
In 2003 she moved to Webb Farry and joined the partnership in 2004. At Webb Farry, Teresa worked with many small to medium sized businesses and also gained experience as a property lawyer and other areas of law such as family trusts, trademarks, and relationship property.
In 2011, Teresa set up her own practice to provide specialist and boutique services in the property, business and immigration areas to international and New Zealand clients.
Personal Background
Teresa was born in Hong Kong and studied as an international student in Sydney where she obtained her law and accounting degrees. Teresa came to New Zealand on a work visa in 1988 and then applied for residency as a skilled migrant.
She met her kiwi partner in 1989 and they moved to Dunedin in 1990.
Teresa had maintained a strong connection with her Chinese culture and heritage. She joined the Otago and Southland Chinese Association in 1996 and has been active within the local Chinese and multi ethnic communities in Dunedin ever since.
She speaks Cantonese and reads Chinese. She often provides translation support and community liaison between members of the Chinese community and government agencies.
Teresa’s personal interests outside work are the NZ outdoors, walking, and international films.
Professional Memberships
Teresa has a strong professional and personal interest in seeing New Zealand take advantage of business investments from overseas in a way that benefits Dunedin and Otago. She is well connected to the local business community as well as to the local government agencies in Dunedin. Her professional memberships reflect this.
Teresa holds the following professional memberships:
The Firm itself is a member of:
Teresa is the current Chair of the Dunedin Shanghai Association which supports the multi-faceted relationship between Dunedin and Shanghai/China.
She is also the current President of the Otago and Southland Chinese Association.
Teresa was also a member of the Otago Standards Committee of the New Zealand Law Society from its inception in August 2008 to December 2015. The Standards Committee determines complaints against lawyers. Teresa was nominated to be on the Committee due to her respected experience in the property and business law area.
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BCom, Finance (University of Otago), BSci, Mathematics (PR China)
Agnes was born and raised in China. She was a secondary school maths teacher in China before immigrating to New Zealand. After graduating from the University of Otago, she worked in an international company located in China and Singapore. She worked in Human Resources at first where she became experienced in dealing with employee relationship, and then transferred to Finance. In 2007, she moved back to Dunedin with her family. She started her own café business here. She also worked as an interpreter for a NZ company selling to customers in different countries including China.
Read more »(Bachelor of Commerce, major in Finance, University of Otago and Bachelor of Science, major in Mathematics, P. R China)
Agnes was born and raised in China. She was a secondary school maths teacher in China before immigrating to New Zealand. After graduating from the University of Otago, she worked in an international company located in China and Singapore. She worked in Human Resources at first where she became experienced in dealing with employee relationship, and then transferred to Finance. In 2007, she moved back to Dunedin with her family. She started her own café business here. She also worked as an interpreter for a NZ company selling to customers in different countries including China.
Agnes’ working experience in different roles gave her a strong understanding of the impact from culture differences. She is keenly aware of the importance of how to communicate with people, and that logic thinking and taking initiative are key in solving problems. As an immigrant, running a business in NZ allows her to get to know local people, and understand the business processes.
Agnes joined Teresa Chan Law in 2018. Her responsibilities include:
Agnes enjoys working with Firm colleagues and feels it is her pleasure to assist clients.
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LLB (University of Otago), BA (Hons), GradDip, Dispute Resolution (Massey University)
Originally from overseas, Katherine has spent most of her adult life enjoying the Kiwi lifestyle. She comes to law from a background in the publishing and recruitment industries. Having managed nationwide territories, Katherine is familiar with the legal and commercial landscape across New Zealand, including the regions. Formerly of Auckland, she’s got the knowledge to help you whether you’re on the Mainland or up north.
In her previous roles, Katherine gained extensive understanding of commercial property matters of all types, from one unit to multinationals. She has also prepared submissions for the District and High Courts and the Court of Appeals. Her research spans criminal and family law, emerging technology, and a broad range of corporate and civil matters. Her work has supported litigation and its alternatives in jurisdictions worldwide. She has experience in alternative dispute resolution and is a trained mediator and arbitrator.
Katherine’s further experience in linguistics and as an ESOL teacher means she is a capable cross-cultural communicator. One of the aspects of her work at Teresa Chan Law she most enjoys is the opportunity to work with clients and colleagues from all over the world. She believes New Zealand is richer for its diversity and will do her utmost to help you meet your immigration and property goals.
As an immigrant herself, Katherine is not only familiar with the practical aspects of coming to New Zealand to live and work, she also understands the high-stakes and personal nature of the immigration process. She will handle your matter with empathy and the utmost discretion. With Katherine on your side, you can put aside any fear or intimidation caused by dealing with your legal matters.
Katherine is known for her attentive ear and for her creative problem-solving which enables her to tailor advice to your interests at every stage. Her true compassion and diligence mean that she personally cares about getting the best outcome for you.
Away from work, Katherine enjoys time with her family and dog, Indiana Jones, paddleboarding, learning languages, and building models.
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Barbara has been working on a part time basis for Teresa Chan Law since its inception in 2011. She has over 15 years of secretarial and administration experience and provides additional support to Teresa and her staff, assisting in administration duties, helping prepare legal documents for clients, and performing other secretarial duties as required.
Barbara also assists as Teresa’s PA in her capacity as Chair on the Dunedin Shanghai Association, and Chair of the Otago and Southland Chinese Association.
Read more »Barbara has been working on a part time basis for Teresa Chan Law since its inception in 2011. She has over 15 years of secretarial and administration experience and provides additional support to Teresa and her staff, assisting in administration duties, helping prepare legal documents for clients, and performing other secretarial duties as required.
Barbara also assists as Teresa’s PA in her capacity as Chair on the Dunedin Shanghai Association, and Chair of the Otago and Southland Chinese Association.
Born and bred in Dunedin, Barbara knows what a great city Dunedin is to live and work in, and over the past six years working with Teresa Chan Law as a Legal Secretary, has gained a new appreciation for the struggles that people go through when wanting to live and work here in Dunedin and elsewhere in New Zealand, and is proud to be involved with Teresa’s firm in helping to make that happen.
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