Louise Laugesen

I am a Barrister and Mediator, and partner in the Law Firm Gifford Devine, Lawyers in Hastings and Central Hawkes Bay. I specialise in Family Law. Since 1993 I have facilitated family disputes in my role as Lawyer for the Child and since 2010, I have led mediations for the Family Court and for Fair Way Resolution.

I am a member of the following organisations:

• New Zealand Law Society
• Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand - Associate
• New Zealand Family Law Section
• Family Specialist, Panel of Mediators New Zealand Law Society

I have over 30 years experience as a family lawyer and child advocate. I have significant practical experience in working with parents, children and young people as they live with conflict, communication and legal challenges. In addition to my practical experience, I have undertaken post graduate studies in order to strengthen my skills and to obtain up to date learning in the area of family disputes. 

I have worked extensively in Family Court’s in Hawke's Bay, together with Youth Court work and in proceedings involving people with disabilities under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act.

As a result of over 12 years experience in governance roles for various schools and extensive training in educational law and employment law, I have developed additional skills in resolving issues which exist in an educational setting.

Speciality Areas:

• Family law
• Parenting disputes
• Relationship property
• Issues relating to the elderly and those people with disabilities
• Relocation of children
• Disputes in the education setting.