Holland Beckett celebrates new Senior Associates

Holland Beckett is pleased to announce the promotion of Cory Lipinski, Lucy Vala-Blackmore, Shannon Eldridge, Anya Sherwan and Jemma Hollis to Associate. The promotions span the firm’s Environment and Planning, Corporate and Finance, Family Law and Litigation teams, recognising professional achievement, leadership, technical expertise and a commitment to delivering excellent outcomes for clients and communities across the Bay of Plenty. L-R: Cory Lipinski, Lucy Vala-Blackmore, Shannon Eldridge, Anya Sherwen, Jemma Hollis Cory Lipinski Associate – Environment and Planning Cory is an environment and resource management specialist with expertise across planning, local government and environmental matters. After completing an LLB and BA at Victoria University of Wellington, Cory began his legal career in Auckland before returning to Tauranga and joining Holland Beckett\'s Environment and Planning team. He advises a wide range of clients, from private individuals seeking resource consents to organisations undertaking major infrastructure and nationally significant projects. Cory has acted as lead counsel in Council and Department of Conservation hearings and as junior counsel in the High Court. Known for his technical expertise and strategic judgement, Cory translates complex planning and regulatory issues into practical advice that helps clients achieve their objectives. Lucy Vala-Blackmore Associate – Family Law Lucy Vala-Blackmore is a specialist family lawyer based in Holland Beckett’s Rotorua office. A Rotorua local, Lucy completed her LLB at the University of Waikato before returning home and joining Holland Beckett as a Summer Clerk in 2019. Since then, she has progressed through the firm from graduate to senior solicitor and now associate. Lucy has developed extensive experience across all areas of family law and regularly appears in the Family Court. She is known for her calm, solution-focused approach to complex family, relationship property, and trust disputes. Lucy is a Lead Provider for family legal aid, serves on the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Law Society Family Law Section, and is a Board Member of Te Wāhi Whakaora Rotorua and District Women\'s Refuge. She has played an important role in the growth of Holland Beckett\'s family law practice in Rotorua and contributes to both the legal profession and the Rotorua community through her governance and voluntary roles. Shannon Eldridge Associate – Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Dr Shannon Eldridge (Whakatōhea) is a litigator recognised for his technical excellence, analytical approach and strong advocacy skills. Shannon joined Holland Beckett\'s Litigation and Dispute Resolution team in Rotorua in late 2024, bringing experience across a diverse range of legal matters. Shannon advises on a broad range of civil disputes as well as criminal, employment and administrative law matters. His practice is supported by a strong academic background, including degrees in Law and Psychology, a Master\'s degree with First Class Honours in Criminology, and a PhD in Law from the University of Auckland. Shannon serves on the Rotorua District Licensing Committee and volunteers his time and expertise with Citizens Advice Bureau. Outside of work, he is also involved in local theatre productions. Anya Sherwen Associate – Corporate and Finance Anya Sherwen joined Holland Beckett’s Corporate and Finance team in 2024, bringing commercial experience developed across New Zealand and Switzerland. After graduating from the University of Otago with honours degrees in French and Law, Anya began her legal career in Wellington with a focus on commercial law. She then spent several years in French-speaking Switzerland, where she completed a bilingual Master of Laws specialising in Business and Tax Law, and International and European Law, before returning to her hometown of Tauranga with her family. Anya is highly regarded for her commercial acumen, collaborative approach and the strategic advice she provides to clients across a broad range of corporate and commercial matters. She works closely on the team’s international aviation practice, advising on financing, acquisitions and sales, leasing and lease restructuring. Jemma Hollis Associate – Environment and Planning Jemma combines specialist legal expertise with more than a decade of planning and policy experience, giving her a unique perspective on resource management matters. Her experience spans resource management and planning, public works acquisitions, local government processes, enforcement, and emerging legislative reforms. She has appeared as counsel in the District Court, Environment Court, High Court, and Supreme Court of New Zealand. She has also acted on complex consenting, planning, judicial review, heritage, conservation, and coastal matters. Between 2021 and 2024, she worked at a Tauranga-based law firm, providing advice and representation in mediations, hearings, and court proceedings. Before entering legal practice, Jemma spent a decade in planning and policy roles with local and regional authorities in Tauranga and Auckland. During that time, she specialised in notified applications and appeals, regularly providing expert planning evidence at hearings and in the Environment Court. Her combined legal and planning background enables her to deliver strategic advice on complex resource management issues.

A Will is perhaps the most important document you can leave behind to support your loved ones. Why do you need a Will, what happens if you pass without a Will, and how best should you prepare your Will for your circumstances? September is Wills Month. Holland Beckett offers a free Simple Will, or a 20% discount on a Complex Will, if you leave a gift to charity in your Will in September. Download our Wills Month information pack. Speak to the Holland Beckett Succession and Estates team about Wills Month and what charity giving options would best suit you. Contact the team on estates@hobec.co.nz or call our offices on 07 578 2199. Get started with our online Will Questionnaire.

Holland Beckett is proud to support Sea Cleaners as a regional partner, helping fund marine litter recovery operations across the Bay of Plenty and contributing to the preservation of the harbour that is such an important part of our region. Sea Cleaners is a New Zealand charitable trust dedicated to removing litter from oceans, harbours, waterways and coastlines while educating communities about the impact of marine pollution. Their vision is simple: \"committed to preserving New Zealand\'s stunning coastline for the benefit of marine life and for the enjoyment of all\". Since 2002, the organisation has removed more than 22 million litres of rubbish, an estimated 223 million pieces, from waterways around New Zealand and recently established full-time operations in Tauranga Moana. Holland Beckett\'s sponsorship will support approximately one week of recovery operations, helping remove 12,000 to 14,000 litres of litter from local waterways while also supporting volunteer and environmental education initiatives. We are committed to supporting initiatives that make a positive and lasting difference in our communities. Sea Cleaners\' work aligns closely with our environmental values and our commitment to being responsible guardians of the places where we live, work and raise our families. The partnership is particularly meaningful following our recent move to waterfront offices in Tauranga. Looking out across the harbour provides a daily reminder of the importance of protecting and preserving the marine environment that helps define our region. In fact, the photo above was taken from our office balcony, where we regularly see the Sea Cleaners vessel at work on the harbour. Watching their team in action offers a tangible reminder of the difference they are making to the health of the waters on our doorstep. Since launching local operations in 2024, Sea Cleaners has removed more than 725,000 litres of waste from the Bay of Plenty, helping to protect our harbour and beaches for future generations. We look forward to playing an active role in this partnership and supporting the important work being done to keep our harbour and coastline clean for the enjoyment of all.