About Willis

Ngā pāronga ō Willis

A black and white silhouette of a diamond on a white background.
A black and white silhouette of a diamond on a white background.
A black and white silhouette of a diamond on a white background.

Welcome to Willis Legal: Your Trusted Partner in Law

We’re a progressive and modern law firm located in Te Matau-a-Maui. We are proud to serve the vibrant communities of Napier, Hastings, and beyond. With a legacy spanning over 135 years, we have built a solid reputation for delivering trusted and expert legal advice.

Our Expertise

At Willis Legal, we specialise in a wide range of legal services to meet your needs:

  • Property: From buying and selling property to managing leases and developments, our property team is here to guide you through every step of the process.
  • Commercial: Our commercial law experts provide tailored advice to help businesses thrive, whether you're starting a new venture or managing a complex corporate transaction.
  • Dispute Resolution: We offer strategic and effective solutions to resolve disputes efficiently, ensuring the best possible outcome for our clients.
  • Asset Protection: Protect your assets with our comprehensive legal strategies, designed to safeguard your wealth and secure your future.
  • Family Law: We handle all aspects of family law, including relationship property, care of children, and family violence matters.
  • Employment Law: Our team provides expert advice on employment agreements, disputes, and compliance with employment laws.
  • Trusts and Estates: We assist with the creation and management of trusts, wills, and estate planning to ensure your wishes are carried out.


Why choose Willis Legal?

Choosing a lawyer or law firm can be daunting, but at Willis Legal, we make the legal process as simple and straightforward as possible. Our friendly team, based in both Napier and Hastings, goes out of their way to ensure you feel comfortable and informed every step of the way.

Our Legacy

With over 135 years of history, Willis Legal has evolved through mergers with local Hawke’s Bay firms, including Scannell Hardy & Co, Donkin Lloyd (Napier Law), and Taradale Law. Our firm celebrated its centenary in 1989, marking a century of dedicated service to the Hawke’s Bay community.

Willis is family

He whānau a Willis 

We are immensely proud of our Willis Legal family and heritage. Many of our team members have family ties to the firm, with Lawrie Willis representing the third generation of his family practicing law here. Mark Goodson continues the legacy of his father, a former partner at the firm who sadly passed away in 1993.


Our firm has also produced distinguished judges, including three High Court Judges (Justice Woodhouse, Justice Gallen, and Justice Chisholm) and one District Court Judge (Judge Neal).

Join the Willis Legal Family

At Willis Legal, we are more than just a law firm – we are whanau, committed to providing you with exceptional legal services. Whether you need advice on property, commercial law, dispute resolution, asset protection, family law, employment law, or trusts and estates, we are here to help.


Law Alliance New Zealand

Willis Legal is a member of Law Alliance New Zealand (LANZ), an association of over 30 law firms from around New Zealand. This association gives our team access to a large knowledge base and nationwide network of professional support.  Willis Legal was a founding member of LANZ.

A logo for law alliance an association of independent law firms