Doug's practice includes acting for and forming trusts, while he also acts as a professional and independent trustee in a number of his clients’ trusts, with a focus on ensuring that all trusts are managed effectively and in full compliance with New Zealand and Inland Revenue Department requirements.
After studying law at Auckland University, Doug began his legal career with one of the city’s leading law firms before leaving for the United Kingdom on his ‘OE’ where he joined an English law firm, broadening his experience and travelling.
He joined Lyon O’Neale Arnold’s predecessor firm, Dowd Thomason Stachan, in 1978, becoming a partner in 1981.
Much of Doug’s work is in the areas of Property and Business Law, his focus being on leading staff in quality, cost effective and pragmatic legal services, while maintaining a close association with both long-standing and new clients.
Doug’s attitude to life is that if you work hard you should play hard, and if you work indoors you should play outdoors.
Doug is a keen pilot and has been so since 16, attaining his private pilot’s licence at the age of 18. He is a long-standing supporter of the Tauranga Gliding Club as its lawyer, but more importantly as a glider tug pilot of more than 25 years service. He also co-owns a two seater sports aircraft.
Doug’s other major outdoor love is sailing. He has sailed since the age of ten, starting in a home-built ply boat of 10 feet in the muddy waters of Lake Ngaroto (near Te Awamutu), to now racing and owning the Farr 1220 “Duty Free” in recent years.
When not sailing and flying, Doug also enjoys mountain biking, tramping, skiing and kayaking. With darkness Doug directs himself to the book world, with a particular interest in history.
