Meet the Team
Cuba Family Law
Cuba Family Law is a specialist family law practice established in April 2009. Formerly Margaret Powell and Wendy Davis, the firm expanded in 2008 with the addition of Liz Lewes. The firm incorporated in 2018 when Marieke van den Bergh became a director. Margaret Powell continues a strong involvement with the practice as a consultant. Wendy Davis has now retired from practice.
Marieke van den Bergh
Director
Marieke has over 10 years of experience practising in family law. She graduated from the University of Canterbury in 2003 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Marieke’s practice covers a wide range of family matters, with a focus on care of children and relationship property. She gained approval to act as
Email: marieke@cubafamilylaw.co.nz
Liz Lewes
Director
Liz has over 20 years experience as a specialist family lawyer. She graduated from the University of Otago in 1996 with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Studies. She has practised in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Liz practises in all areas of family law but with a special interest in family violence, children and mental health work. Liz became l
Email: lizlewes@cubafamilylaw.co.nz
Margaret Powell
Consultant
Margaret has practised family law since 1985 joining the firm in 1989. She obtained an LLB in 1974 and a Diploma in Social Work in 1981 and previously worked at the Wellington Community Law Centre. She has been regularly appointed as a lawyer for children since the early 1990’s, and as lawyer to assist the Court particularly in cases with an international aspect. She has also been appointed by the New Zealand Central Authority to deal with cases involving abduction or retention of children under the Hague Convention.
Email: margaret@cubafamilylaw.co.nz
Bridie Henderson
Solicitor
Bridie graduated from Victoria University of Wellington and was admitted to the bar in 2004. She practised in family law and criminal law in Tauranga before travelling to the United Kingdom and working in child protection for two years. She then worked exclusively in family law in both private practice and for a community law centre that specialised in domestic violence in Brisbane, Australia. Bridie returned to practice in New Zealand working for the Public Defence Service in Wellington before joining Cuba Family Law in April 2019. Bridie has extensive courtroom experience and will work with you to achieve pragmatic outcomes focussed on your needs.
Email: bridie@cubafamilylaw.co.nz
Matt Taylor
Solicitor
Matt practices across a range of family and property law areas, including parenting disputes (care of children), care and protection (Oranga Tamariki), separation and relationship property, family violence, and buying/selling property. He has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Canterbury. Matt provides advice to private, legally aided, and Family Legal Advice Service (FLAS) clients. He is a member of the New Zealand Law Society Family Law Section and the Wellington Family Courts’ Association.
Deenie Roche
Solicitor
Deenie practices in all areas of family law, but specialises in family violence and care of children. Before joining Cuba Family Law, Deenie worked at Wellington Women’s Refuge as a crisis line advocate. Deenie has graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts (Media Studies and Spanish). Deenie is a member of the Wellington Family Courts Associate and the Family Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society.
Email: deenie@cubafamilylaw.co.nz
Patricia Chin
Legal Executive
Patricia is an Associate member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives and has worked as a legal executive for the past 24 years. She is experienced in conveyancing work, estate administration, wills, sale and purchase of businesses and family trust work. She has been with Cuba Family Law for 25 years.
Email: patricia@cubafamilylaw.co.nz
Liz Nikora
Support staff
Liz is a member of our reliable and efficient support team. Liz has a long history with the firm and has been with us since 2001.
Chris Johnstone
Support staff
Chris is a member of our reliable and efficient support team. Chris joined us in 2008.