Kathryn Crooks – Partner
- BA LLB (Hons.) – Victoria University
- District Inspector Mental Health
Kathryn is one of the firm’s Senior Partners and has covered many areas of law during her 25 year career.
Area of specialisation:
Kathryn has a vision to see the children and families of Whanganui thrive in their community and succeed in their hopes and dreams. Having balanced her early law career with a family of her own, she knows all too well the pressures families are under in today’s society. This has given her a great empathy and a determination to fight for the most vulnerable people in our society.
Kathryn has been with Armstrong Barton since 1998 and is a Senior Partner specialising in Family, Trust and Estate Law. She receives regular appointments from the Family Court to represent the children & incapacitated adults, and also serves as the District Inspector of Mental Health for Whanganui Region. She is well known for her fair, yet firm approach and is widely respected throughout the legal and family services sectors.
Her broad experience gives her expertise in many facets of family law including:
- Relationship Property
- Trust Law
- Estate Claims
- Wills & Estates
- Parenting & Guardianship
- Domestic Violence
- Child Youth & Family
- Disability & Elder Law
Email : Kathryn

David Robertson – Partner
- BA LLB Victoria University
David is a respected and experienced Wanganui Lawyer who has practiced locally for over 25 years. David joined the firm in 2013 as a partner.
Area of specialisation:
David assists his clients with all matters pertaining to commercial and business transactions, establishing and restructuring trusts, property sales and purchases, lease agreements, subdivisions and complex transactions.
Email : David
Beverley Pearce
- LLB
- Legal Aid Representative
Beverley is an experienced lawyer having previously worked at the Community Law Centre in Wellington.
Area of specialisation:
Beverley assists her clients with all matters pertaining to Family Law which encompasses Parenting Orders, matters with domestic violence, Relationship Property, Personal and Property Rights, Paternity and Child Support. Additionally she assists clients with Welfare and Property Orders as well as Employment Law through Employment Breakdowns and Obligations.
Beverley is admired for her commitment and caring of community and ever present social conscience, whilst her practical and matter-of-fact approach ensures support during stressful times.
Email : Beverley
Nick Robertson
Nick is energy personified. He brings an enthusiasm and positivity to the legal profession that defies all stereotypes and he represents the next generation of Armstrong Barton’s professional legacy. Nick is well travelled, having recently returned from his OE in Canada, the UK and Europe. He loves woodworking, hunting and hiking.
Nick joined the firm in 2016 having just been admitted to the bar, and is excited by the opportunity to experience a wider range of legal practice than is often available to other young graduates at larger city firms. Inspired by his father David, Nick is dedicated to Whanganui and looks forward to building a long career here.
Currently Nick is specialising in conveyancing and commercial law.
Email : Nick

Adrienne Gilbert
- Associate of NZILE
- Justice of the Peace (JP)
Adrienne has over 22 years experience working in Whanganui legal firms, with the last 19 years as a legal executive. She is admired for her friendly, energetic and efficient approach that ensures a convenient and stress free experience for clients.
Area of specialisation:
Adrienne deals predominantly with property/business sales and purchases. She also assists her clients with company formation, powers of attorney, wills and family trusts.
Email : Adrienne

Yvonne Nyenhuis
- Fellow of NZILE
Yvonne has worked in Law firms throughout New Zealand for over 30 years, the last 20 years as a legal executive.
She is currently the Wanganui Branch Manager of the New Zealand Law Society.
Area of specialisation:
Yvonne has a keen interest in elder law and is responsible for estate administration, wills and enduring powers of attorney. Yvonne assists clients with property sales and purchases.
Email : Yvonne