Amanda emigrated to Nelson in 2014 after 15 years as a Partner in a large regional law firm in the UK and is qualified to practice both in the UK and in New Zealand. She has successfully crossed the bridge from Litigator to Advisor and is able to resolve disputes as well as give pragmatic advice designed to avoid them. As head of our large Trusts and Estates practice, Amanda routinely advises clients on Inheritance Planning, complex Estate Administration, capacity issues, validity of Wills and all aspects of Elder Law including Retirement Villages purchases in which she in an expert along with Jacintha Atkinson-Manson. She and Jacintha frequently give talks to community groups on this very topical issue. She also manages disputes under the Family Protection and Testamentary Promises Acts, working closely with our Litigation Team.
After the disestablishment of Knapps in May 2023 along with fellow Partner Jacintha Atkinson-Manson, Atkinson Crehan Law was established.
Amanda brings a wealth of experience in leading and managing large teams delivering substantial and complex projects. In the UK she was the training principal responsible for recruiting, training and retaining up to 25 trainees across the firm per year. Her core belief is that investing in people and helping them fulfil their potential is what makes a successful law firm. She was Senior Partner for one of the firm’s five regional offices and a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Executive leadership team responsible for around 500 staff.
Since moving to Nelson, Amanda has involved herself extensively in the community. She is a member of Richmond Rotary. She is presently Vice-Chair of Alzheimer’s Nelson Tasman and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Nelson School of Music (NCMA). Music has always been and continues to be a big part of her life and she is a strong believer in access to learning, performing and listening to music being available to all.
Amanda has been a director of NZ Law Limited since October 2019.