Profile
"West Oak’s success has come from always putting our clients’ best interests first and always finding ways to improve and add more value to them"
Andrew mcquiston,
west oak family office, wellington-altus private wealth
The only solicitor to rise to the rank of partner in Lane Neave’s most recent round of promotions, Michelle Needham’s career as a commercial property specialist continues to reach new heights.
In her practice, she advises a range of clients from individuals through to large corporations on a variety of matters including property development and subdivision, conveyancing and succession planning. An aviation enthusiast, she is also a member of the Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand.”
While Michelle wasn’t necessarily set on being a lawyer, things changed at university when she found herself enjoying the study of law. Immediately, she chose property law as an area of specialisation.
“I have always been interested in land law and in particular, the different types of properties that people want to buy, whether it’s their first home or a Central Otago vineyard or sheep station,” she tells NZ Lawyer.
Buying a property can be challenging especially for those purchasing their first home, and she enjoys lending a hand to those who need advice on this end.
“The best part is helping clients to successfully purchase their property and as a trusted advisor helping them navigate the buying process which can be quite daunting, especially for first home buyers, and involve a lot of emotion particularly if they have been unsuccessful at previous attempts to get an offer accepted,” Michelle explains.
Being based in Queenstown provides “a huge variety of property work ranging from residential and rural property through to large-scale developments,” she adds.
“I was always interested in practicing law in Queenstown as it offers a great balance between lifestyle and work with the vast range of outdoor activities right on the doorstep, including my favourite hobbies of biking, flying and skiing,” Michelle shares.
Nonetheless, the property law space in this area was not spared from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The most significant challenge in the last year has been dealing with the ongoing uncertainty around the impacts of COVID-19, particularly in respect of Queenstown businesses and helping to guide clients through these difficult times,” she said.
She does see workplace flexibility as a positive effect of the pandemic and expects to see even more of the same this year, particularly with regard to working remotely.
Her achievements over the past couple of years have not only earned her a Rising Star distinction—at the 2021 NZ Law Awards, she was named among the Excellence Awardees in the category of Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (35 or under).
As she steps into the partner role at Lane Neave this year, Needham cites “learning the ropes” as something she’s looking forward to.
“I am looking forward to this challenge and continuing to grow our practice in Queenstown and beyond,” she says.
Michelle Needham
Partner
Lane Neave
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Michelle Needham
Partner
Lane Neave
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Michelle Needham
Partner
Lane Neave
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
2020
2019
2018
2020-2021
2014-2022
2020
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Received Best Lawyer in Canada Award (Employment and Labour Law)
2020
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2019
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
TeD Talk Speaker
2019
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2018
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
title of milestone
2018
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2020-2021
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Received Lexology Client Choice Award (Labour and Employment – Canada)
2020-2021
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2014-2022
human resources | key media
Received Best Lawyer in Canada Award (Employment and Labour Law)
2014-2022
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Milestones
Career Accolades
2021
2017–
present
2014–2017
2010–2014
2009–2010
2021
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
NZ Law Awards Excellence Awardee
Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year
2021
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2017–present
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Lane Neave
2017–present
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2014–2017
Pitt & Moore
Pitt & Moore
2014–2017
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2010–2014
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Inder Lynch
LLM (First Class Honours), University of Auckland, 2012
2010–2014
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2009–2010
human resources | key media
Tompkins Wake
2009–2010
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Career Highlights
2021
2017–present
2014–2017
2010–2014
2009–2010
2021
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
NZ Law Awards Excellence Awardee
Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year
2021
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2017–present
2017–present
Lane Neave
2017–present
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2014–2017
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Pitt & Moore
2014–2017
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2010–2014
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Inder Lynch
LLM (First Class Honours), University of Auckland, 2012
2010–2014
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2009–2010
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Tompkins Wake
2009–2010
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Milestones
Milestones
laneneave.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/michelle-needham-8b588b42
michelle.needham@laneneave.co.nz
021 464 847
Level 1, 2 Memorial Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
2020
2019
2018
2020-2021
2014-2022
2020
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Receive an excellence award
2020
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2019
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
TeD Talk Speaker
2019
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2018
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
title of milestone
2018
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2020-2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Received Lexology
Client Choice Award
(Labour and Employment – Canada)
2020-2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2014-2022
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Received Best Lawyer in
Canada Award
(Employment and Labour Law)
2014-2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Career Accolades
Milestones
2021
2017–present
2014–2017
2010–2014
2009–2010
2021
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
NZ Law Awards Excellence Awardee
Young Private Practice Lawyer of
the Year
2021
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2017–
present
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lane Neave
2017–present
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2014–2017
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Pitt & Moore
2014–2017
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2010–2014
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Inder Lynch
LLM (First Class Honours), University of Auckland, 2012
2010–2014
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2009–2010
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Tompkins Wake
2009–2010
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Milestones