Meet the Team

Paul Sandford has been in practice since 1973, specialising in commercial law, trusts, rural law, general property and contract law. He is involved in a number of community organisations, both as a member and as an honorary solicitor.

Brendan Wall has been working in law since November 1987. He studied at Otago University before working in Invercargill. He then moved to Rotorua in 1992 where he has remained since. His principal areas of practice are property, trusts, estate planning, relationship property, company work and subdivision work. He also has experience in the family and civil courts.

Samantha grew up in Rotorua. After finishing school at Western Heights High School she studied Law & Science at Victoria University in Wellington. Samantha was admitted to the bar in 2008 and has worked at Sandford Wall since that time. Samantha was initially involved in Family Law and Civil Court matters but since starting her own family Samantha’s focus is in Commercial & Residential property, Trusts, Wills & Estates. Samantha is also a volunteer at the Rotorua Citizens Advice Bureau.

Ben Sandford grew up in Rotorua and studied at Victoria University. After being admitted to the bar in 2002, he moved overseas and represented New Zealand in Skeleton racing, competing in three Winter Olympics. He retired in 2014 and was elected as the vice president of legal affairs of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. He is currently a member of the WADA Athlete Committee and the NZOC Athlete Commission. Once he finished an LLM in international sports law through ISDE in Spain, Sandford moved back to Rotorua where he is now practising law.

Gayle Rattigan is a Rotorua local. She first started in law as a secretary in Adelaide, Australia in 1987 and completed her legal executive studies through the NZ Open Polytechnic in 1995 while working in law firms full time.  She moved back to Rotorua in 1998 and has been working as a legal executive since then.  Gayle become a Fellow of the Legal Executives of NZ in 2014. Gayle’s main areas of work are residential & commercial property, subdivisions, wills and estates.  Gayle is also a registered dance fitness instructor and provides several classes weekly for the over 55’s as well as being a trustee for the Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust.

For more than 20 years, Donna Hewson has gained invaluable experience working in law firms around Rotorua. As Practice Manager, her breadth of expertise and various skills are indispensable.

Kate Hewson has worked at Sandford Wall since 2010 and currently works part-time as a Legal Assistant. With over 12 years of experience, her skills and knowledge are invaluable to our team. Kate is a proud mother of 3 children.

Evie Wall joined the team in August 2019 as our receptionist. Evie enjoys meeting our clients and being the first person to greet you when you come into the office.