Kirsten
Graham
Litigation - Partner

Kirsten is a Partner in our litigation team. Since joining the firm in 2009 she has developed expertise across a range of civil and commercial litigation and dispute resolution matters.
Kirsten represents clients in Courts at all levels, and also enjoys securing strategic and practical outcomes for clients through negotiation and mediation.
Kirsten has helped lead our firm’s Digital Office Committee which has transitioned the firm to an electronic work environment. She is passionate about finding efficiencies in legal practice through technology and has recently mastered ‘the electronic casebook’ to utilize in Courtroom presentation.
Kirsten has a special interest in assisting the trustees of New Zealand’s National Marae. After the Canterbury earthquakes Kirsten acted for the trustees to obtain consent to accommodate the Ministry of Justice to enable the courthouse to operate from the Marae. More recently she has worked with the trustees to redefine and extend the purposes of the reservation for future commercial development and social housing opportunities.
She enjoys the challenge and diversity of civil litigation and is motivated to help clients navigate complex legal issues and secure positive outcomes.
Recent Projects
-
Representing clients in Christchurch’s first High Court civil electronic hearing.
-
Acting for home owners in insurance disputes, earthquake list court proceedings and related forums such as the GCCRS and mediation.
-
Insolvency law litigation involving creditors compromises, liquidators claims, debt recovery and enforcement action, trans-Tasman proceedings, bankruptcy and liquidation, forced asset sales, and assignment claims.
-
Commercial lease disputes, applications for relief against cancellation of leases and various legal actions for landlords and tenants.
-
Property and land law disputes, declaratory proceedings around the status of land interests, Maori reservations and governance issues, modification of covenants, and mortgagee sale actions.
-
Commercial contract disputes and negligence claims.
Contact Kirsten
Phone - +64 3 339 5633
Email - kirsten.graham@cavell.co.nz
Level 3, BNZ Centre
111 Cashel Mall
Christchurch 8011