Director, & Notary Public
Working with Godfreys since graduating from Canterbury University in 2000, Brad has been with the firm through many different phases and stages across two-plus decades. In 2008, at the age of 30, Brad joined the partnership of the firm with Jerald French and Philip Sewell before teaming up in Partnership solely with Philip from 2009 until the firm was incorporated in 2023. Over the years Brad has worked in most areas of law practised by the firm including conveyancing, debt collection, commercial, employment, enduring powers of attorney, estates, leasing, relationship property, trusts and wills. Brad’s speciality area which he developed early in his practising life is employment law having represented countless employers and employees across a wide range of matters and disputes. Practising in employment law evolved into more heavy involvement in commercial law as there are synergies across these two areas. This evolution has seen Brad work with many businesses over the years to help them to thrive and survive across events such as the Canterbury Earthquakes and the Covid-19 Pandemic. Brad takes a holistic approach to his work and endeavours to give an all-encompassing view from the perspective of all parties involved in a matter. This approach enables Brad to look for resolutions to problems rather than immediately taking an adversarial approach to issues.
It was during the Covid-19 Pandemic that Brad started hosting real-time client webinars examining many of the thorny issues thrown up by the lockdowns. Thankfully, after the end of the lockdowns and a supposed return to “normal” Brad started hosting a Podcast known as the “Real Solutions Business Podcast”. This ethos of this podcast is to provide easily accessible ‘bite-size’ real world information and ‘know-how’ on a wide range of topics that have relevance and interest for business owners/leaders, particularly those in NZ SMEs. Not only does this podcast give Brad an excuse to meet and talk with heaps of interesting and intelligent businesspeople but it also helps expand his, (and by extension the firms), network and ability to recommend a wide range of people to help business owners succeed. Brad’s podcasting work has seen him recognised in the top 10 business podcasts in the New Zealand market which is a very satisfying achievement.
Aside from podcasting, practising law and being an owner of Godfreys Law, Brad is also a member of a successful local BNI chapter where he meets weekly with other local business owners to strengthen his networks. Brad also believes in giving back to the community having been involved with 298 Youth Health Centre, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Community Law, the Christchurch Earthquake Heritage Trust Board, Life Education Trust Canterbury and the New Zealand Law Society Employment Law Committee (Canterbury/Westland branch).
In 2023 Brad was admitted as a Notary Public and is a member of the New Zealand Society of Notaries. This appointment as Notary Public was a position that Brad had wanted to achieve for some time and enables him to further his service delivery ethos to the wider public. On top of this Brad, as a keen surfer, lends his face to the Sumner Surf Camera website. Outside of work Brad can be found working on his lifestyle block with his dogs, a few sheep and some chickens. Real People, Real Solutions.