Our Team
Jeff Walker
Jeff grew up in Invercargill and attended James Hargest High School.
When he left High School, he worked as a commercial diver and cray-fisherman, before starting extramural tertiary studies in 1973. He completed a Law Degree at Otago University in 1976. While at University, Jeff obtained his commercial skippers ticket and joined the New Zealand Territorial Army. Jeff was commissioned as an Infantry Officer before completing his university studies. In 1977 he worked as a tutor at the New Zealand Technical Correspondence Institute in Lower Hutt, before accepting a job as a staff Solicitor at Watson Savage at the beginning of 1978. His initial practise area involved all sorts of Court appearances, and commercial work associated with the fishing industry.
In March 1981, Jeff joined Trevor Savage in the firm Watson Savage. In 1984, Watson Savage amalgamated with Hanan Arthur & Co to form Arthur Watson Savage. Jeff continued as a Partner at Arthur Watson Savage until 1999. Jeff was the first managing Partner of Arthur Watson Savage and held that role for about 5 years. As a Court Lawyer, Jeff has conducted Jury Trials, civil cases in the District Court and High Court. Jeff has also conducted a number of appeals to the Court of Appeal as Counsel.
Jeff continues to be appointed as Lawyer for Children and also as Counsel to Assist the Court. He was appointed Amicus Curiae in a case resulting from the sinking of the ‘Easy Rider’.
Throughout his career, Jeff has been active in the Governance of both not for profit and profit organisations. He was elected to the Board of the Southland Building Society (SBS Bank) in 1998 and resigned as Deputy Chairman in 2016. Jeff was Chairman of the Bank’s Subsidiaries, Finance Now, and Funds Administration New Zealand Limited for a number of years.
Jeff continues to be involved in a number of community organisations and is currently:-
• President of Southland Football;
• President of the Southland WEA – trading as Southland Education;
• President of the Federation of Workers Educational Association in Aotearoa.
Cleland Murdoch
Cleland was born and bred in Southland and is in his 40th year of practising law in Invercargill. Cleland began his career at Tait Ward & Co in 1977 before beginning his own legal practice as a sole practitioner in 1999. In 2005 Cleland joined forces with Jeff Walker.
Cleland’s work includes conveyancing, trusts, wills, estates, matrimonial matters and is also Lawyer for child. Cleland has a down to earth approach to matters and provides reliable and honest advice to clients.
He has also been the District Inspector for Mental Health for a number of years.
Out of work Cleland is involved with Harness Racing, enjoys watching sports and spending time with his wife and family which includes 2 grandchildren. He also enjoys the odd bit of travelling.
Cheryl Officer
Cheryl is a solicitor specialising in property and conveyancing matters. Cheryl, an Otago graduate was admitted in 2012. Prior to obtaining her law degree Cheryl was the office manager and law clerk for Jeff Walker. She has been with the firm since its original inception in 1999. Cheryl is a past chairperson of Southland District Rugby League and is a current Board member of Southern Zone Rugby League.
Jo Trumper
Jo has over 20 years’ experience in the law industry, with three of those years spent at Walker Murdoch Law. Jo is a qualified Accounting Technician and our Trust Account Administrator. She also takes care of the general office administration and helps out with the Estates.
Sarah Templeton
Sarah has been working in the law industry for 22 years. She began with Cleland Murdoch at Tait Ward Adams & Murdoch and then moved with Cleland when he started out as a sole practitioner. She then moved to Walker Murdoch Law. Sarah deals with conveyancing files. Sarah enjoys the variety that you get in this line of work.
Kylie Keen
Kylie is a Law Clerk in our firm working with Cheryl. She undertakes conveyancing and enjoys the variety that comes with this.
Christie Nelson
Christie has worked in the legal field since 2005 and with our firm since 2013. In her full time position as a Law Clerk, Christie is involved in all aspects of Conveyancing.
Whilst Christie is a mother of two, she is also in her third year of study for her Legal Executive Diploma.
Natasha Careswell
Natasha has been working in a legal support role for the past eight years with the past two spent working for Jeff Walker.
At the beginning of last year, Natasha commenced studying her New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies through the Open Polytechnic with a view to completing this in 2019.
Natasha enjoys the challenge and variation of working in the legal field.
Rheanna Hunt
Rheanna joined our team at the beginning of 2017. She mainly does secretarial work for Cleland, but also helps out with the Trust Account and is our bright and bubbly Receptionist.