Kaylee Bird is a lawyer in the firm’s Asset Planning team. She specialises in asset planning matters, assisting individuals and families with wills, enduring powers of attorney, trusts, and estate administration. Kaylee also assists with the establishment of trusts and charitable trusts, and works with trustees to meet their ongoing obligations.
Kaylee holds a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Management Studies with First Class Honours, and was admitted to the bar in April 2021. She is known for her thoughtful, client-centred approach and strong attention to detail, helping ensure matters are progressed efficiently and finalised with clarity. Kaylee supports clients to achieve their goals and gain peace of mind, while contributing to positive outcomes for the wider community.
Outside of work, Kaylee teaches reformer pilates, enjoys time at the beach, discovering good coffee spots, and spending time with friends and family. She is a volunteer baker for Good Bitches Baking and values opportunities to give back to the community.
Andrew is a Senior Solicitor in our Dispute Resolution Team.
His approach to working with clients is conversational, patient, and practical. Andrew’s background as a university lecturer is one of his unique strengths, as it helps him to translate ‘legalese’ into plain English, guiding clients through what can be very difficult periods in their lives. He maintains a calm temperament and is comfortable in a courtroom setting when required. He enjoys the variety of matters that come across his desk.
Prior to focusing on practice, Andrew was the Disputes Resolution Convenor and Legal Method lecturer at the University of Waikato Te Piringa – Faculty of Law. He continues his passion for teaching at the University of Waikato by coaching student NZLSA national teams and attends as a guest lecturer.
Andrew is motivated by the desire for incremental improvements—loving to learn how something works, why it works or doesn’t work, and how to make it better. His biggest achievement to date is being a finalist for NZ Asian Lawyer of the Year. Outside of work, he maintains his balance by pursuing sports, including tennis, professional balloon animal club and squash.
Andrew joined the McCaw Lewis whānau in 2020 and was promoted to Senior Solicitor in 2023.
Anastasia is a Senior Solicitor and part of our Dispute Resolution team specialising in civil disputes as well as Protection of Personal Property Rights matters.
Anastasia is dedicated to ensuring the legal process remains approachable and easily understandable, with the ultimate goal of achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients. She also ensures clients are always kept aware so they feel secure that progress is being made. Anastasia enjoys helping to navigate and resolve complex problems for people in situations where they cannot easily navigate the issues themselves.
In her practice, Anastasia has worked on a wide range of civil disputes, relationship property, and employment law matters. She has appeared in the District Court and the High Court as junior.
Anastasia grew up in Napier, Hawkes Bay, and moved to Hamilton while she studied at the University of Waikato. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting family back home and is kept busy taking her dog, Billy, out to see the Waikato.
Anna assists clients with a wide range of Property matters, including residential conveyancing, first home buyers, refinancing, and unit titles. She is dedicated to finding practical solutions for clients that suit their personal needs. Her key strength is being approachable and friendly, enabling her to take hard-to-understand legal matters and make them easily digestible for clients.
Anna particularly enjoys helping a diverse range of clients—from first home buyers to retirees and developers—meaning she is constantly learning and building on her knowledge. Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions a person makes, and Anna takes pride in guiding clients through this stressful time by giving clear advice to make the process easier and more enjoyable. She has developed expertise in Unit Title Properties and Off the Plans Sale and Purchase Agreements, where sound legal advice at the due diligence stage is critical.
She started her career at a boutique property and commercial law firm in Auckland, giving her knowledge of both the Auckland and Hamilton property markets. She relocated to Hamilton with her partner and is proud of successfully adjusting to a new job and life in a new city.
She is motivated and inspired by her family, particularly her parents and grandparents, who focused so much on giving her opportunities for a good education. Outside of work, Anna enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She finds balance by getting outdoors, going for walks, and tending to her garden.
Renee Abbott is a Senior Solicitor in our Asset Planning Team.
Her primary approach is to act as the catalyst between the public and the Law, focusing on turning complex legal principles into easily digestible advice for all her clients. She values manaakitanga, ensuring her clients are well looked after, and strives to meet each of their unique needs.
Renee is valued for her ability to remain calm, cool, and collected when a situation demands it. She enjoys the variety of her legal practice, noting that no two workdays or client scenarios are the same.
Prior to McCaw Lewis, Renee gained broad experience across Property Law, Public Law, and Refugee Law. She was also an advisor at the Superdiversity Institute for Law, Policy and Business. Renee is passionate about the desire to learn as much as possible and to educate people on Asset Planning matters.
She is highly engaged in the legal community, having won a client interviewing competition at AUT in 2020 (competing at a national level). She continues this involvement by coaching Waikato University Law competition students and judging various competitions at the university.
Renee grew up in Pukekohe and completed her studies at the Auckland University of Technology. Outside of work, she relies on good friendships for balance, is the Board Secretary for Age Concern Waikato, and enjoys gaming, including Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), and reupholstering and decorating second-hand furniture.
Renee joined the McCaw Lewis whānau in 2022 and was promoted to Senior Solicitor in 2024.
Kendyl Golder focuses on simplifying legal matters for her clients by explaining complex issues in a clear and practical way. She finds great reward in helping clients navigate stressful legal situations, ensuring they feel supported, informed, and confident throughout the process.
Kendyl takes pride in managing each stage of a legal matter with organisation and precision, keeping her clients updated so they fully understand every step. Her goal is to provide meaningful assistance that helps people move forward with their goals and find practical paths through their legal requirements.
Kendyl joined Forgeson Law in April 2019 and continued with the firm through its merger with McCaw Lewis in April 2024. Outside of the office, Kendyl is motivated by her children and her desire to help people in a way that feels impactful. She enjoys spending quality time with her husband and kids, and she appreciates the relaxation of reading, cooking, and travelling.
Kodi is a Senior Solicitor in the Kahurangi Whenua team and joined the McCaw Lewis whānau in 2025.
Whatungarongaro te tangata, toituu te whenua
As man disappears, the land remains
Kodi is privileged to work in the whenua Maaori space, supporting whaanau, hapuu, and iwi to safeguard and utilise their ancestral lands. She blends legal expertise with cultural understanding to help whaanau achieve solutions grounded in their values and tikanga. Kodi values building strong relationships, knowing that collaboration is essential for creating meaningful outcomes.
Outside of the office Kodi enjoys giving back to her community. This year, she has co-presented a guest lecture for the Māori Dispute Resolution paper at the University of Waikato, delivered webinars on succession to Māori land and Occupation Orders for Community Law Waikato, and contributed as a judge for competitions hosted by the Waikato University Law Students’ Association and the Waikato University Debate Society.
Kodi recharges by spending time with her whaanau, going back home to Tauranga and trying out new recipes.
