Our Team
Meet Our Team
A small, specialist team with deep experience in trusts, estates, property and business law.
We're a tight-knit team who've worked together for years — some of us for decades. Many of our clients have been with us just as long, because they know we take their goals seriously, explain things clearly, and get things done. Here's who you'll be working with.
Ross Holmes
Managing Director
Ross has practised law since 1973, giving him over 50 years' experience helping clients protect their families, homes and businesses. He is widely recognised for his work in trust-based and will-based asset protection planning.
Ross has written extensively on trusts and asset protection and has been a contributing author to LexisNexis' leading textbook, Law of Trusts, since the early 2000s. He is also co-author of Southern Cook Islands Customary Law, History, and Society with Professor Ron Crocombe.
Clients value Ross for his ability to explain complex legal issues in clear, practical, everyday language. His focus is always on what will work best for each client in real life — not just on paper.
Education: LLB (Hons), Victoria University, 1971
Admitted: New Zealand · Cook Islands
Affiliations: New Zealand Law Society · Cook Islands Law Society · Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Email: rossholmes@rossholmes.co.nz
DDI: +64 9 415 5700
Mobile: +64 21 924 784
Neena Bartlett
Senior Associate
Neena is a highly valued member of the Ross Holmes team, having joined the practice in 1989. She has extensive experience in property law, asset protection planning and trusts, and has guided generations of clients through purchases, sales and restructuring of their assets.
Known for her meticulous attention to detail, Neena makes sure nothing important is missed in contracts or documents. Clients appreciate her calm, practical approach and the way she explains complex legal issues in clear, straightforward language.
Working closely with Ross, Neena plays a key role in delivering the firm's trusted, long-term support to New Zealand families and small business owners.
Education: LLB, Canterbury University, 1987 · Dip. Crim., Auckland University, 1988
Admitted: New Zealand (1988)
Affiliations: New Zealand Law Society
Email: neenab@rossholmes.co.nz
DDI: +64 9 415 5706
Mobile: +64 21 660 496
Kirsty Hourigan
Senior Associate — Registered Senior Legal Executive
Kirsty has many years of experience in trust and estate administration and accounting, and has worked closely with Ross since 1998, when she joined the firm as a Trust Consultant. She is a key part of the firm's ongoing support for trustees, executors and families.
Kirsty manages the day-to-day administration of trusts and estates, ensuring records, distributions and compliance requirements are all carefully handled. She also has experience in property transactions, adding further depth to the team's work for clients.
Kirsty is a Registered Legal Executive and a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives (FNZILE), reflecting her high level of expertise and commitment to professional standards.
Affiliations: Fellow, New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives (FNZILE)
Email: kirstyh@rossholmes.co.nz
DDI: +64 9 415 5704
Mobile: +64 21 565 173
Janet Holmes
Senior Associate — Senior Legal Executive
Janet is a Senior Legal Executive with particular expertise in asset protection planning, trust administration and conveyancing. She plays a central role in preparing and reviewing trust and estate planning documents.
Janet is known for her thorough, methodical approach to document preparation and her ability to manage complex trust and property transactions with care and precision. Clients appreciate her calm professionalism and attention to detail.
Email: janeth@rossholmes.co.nz
DDI: +64 9 415 5703
Jolene Holmes
Legal Secretary (working part-time on maternity leave)
Jolene joined Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers in May 2020 and is a valued member of our support team. She works part-time while on maternity leave, assisting primarily with trust-based estate planning and the firm’s marketing activities.
Detail-focused and well organised, Jolene helps keep documents, client communications and workflows running smoothly. She has a genuine interest in estate planning and is committed to helping clients have a clear, positive experience with the firm at every stage of the process.
Jasmaine Mateariki
Legal Secretary and Client Service Officer
Jasmaine joined Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers in August 2020. She is often the first point of contact for clients, welcoming them with warmth and ensuring they have a positive experience from the moment they get in touch.
In addition to her reception duties, Jasmaine provides valuable administrative support to the legal team, helping with documents, scheduling and day-to-day file management. Her strong organisational and communication skills make her an essential part of keeping the office running smoothly and clients well looked after.
Jacomina Holmes
Legal Secretary
Jacomina joined Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers in November 2020 and has been an integral part of the team ever since. She assists Ross with all aspects of property law work, including preparing and managing legal documents, coordinating settlements, and liaising with clients, banks and other legal professionals.
With strong organisational skills and a keen eye for detail, Jacomina helps ensure that property transactions run smoothly and efficiently, keeping clients informed and supported throughout the process.
Ready to Talk?
Request a personalised quote online, or if you're a new client, book a free 15-minute introduction to meet us and see if we're the right fit.
The introductory meeting is a chance to meet our team — it is not for legal advice.