Mahony Horner Lawyers is a Wellington CBD law firm led by Tom Mahony, Elspeth Horner and Harry Rattray, providing clear, concise legal advice with a focus on real-world solutions. The firm builds on the success of Cullens - The Employment Law Firm, which joined Mahony Horner Lawyers in 2021, as well as Mahony Burrowes Horner Lawyers and Burrowes & Co, both founded by Michael Burrowes, and celebrated ten years in business in April 2024.
The firm's practice areas span business advisory (led by Tom Mahony), litigation (led by Elspeth Horner), employment law, insurance, property and construction, private client matters, not-for-profit and charity advisory, and Māori Legal work led by Dr Bryan Gilling, covering Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims, Māori land issues and Marine and Coastal Area Act applications.
The team includes senior lawyers with decades of experience, such as Russell Buchanan, who has been practising law in Wellington since 1979, alongside a broad bench of associates, solicitors and support staff covering commercial, property, civil litigation and Māori Legal teams. Mahony Horner Lawyers is based at JacksonStone House on Hunter Street in the Wellington CBD.
Mahony Horner Lawyers is a Wellington CBD law firm built around a simple promise: clear, concise advice with real-world solutions, so clients know exactly where they stand. Led by Tom Mahony, Elspeth Horner and Harry Rattray, the firm places a strong emphasis on client relationships founded on mutual trust and confidence.
Mahony Horner Lawyers builds on the success of Cullens - The Employment Law Firm, which joined the practice in 2021, as well as Mahony Burrowes Horner Lawyers and Burrowes & Co, both founded by Michael Burrowes. That combined history was marked in April 2024, when the firm celebrated ten years in business.
The firm's practice spans eight core areas. Tom Mahony leads the Business team, providing practical solutions for small to medium-sized Wellington-region businesses, from buying and selling through to insolvency advice. Elspeth Horner leads Litigation, drawing on a career spent acting on civil litigation disputes to provide strong representation for clients in conflict. The firm also acts for insurers across all aspects of insurance law, and its Employment team brings specialist expertise acting for a wide range of employer clients across public and private sectors, as well as individual employees.
On the property side, Mahony Horner advises on both residential and commercial property, backed by deep knowledge of the construction industry in both sectors. The Private Client team focuses on individual and family legal needs, while the firm is also proud to act for National Charities, Not for Profit Incorporated Societies and Trade Associations, advising on governance, regulatory compliance and day-to-day operations.
Mahony Horner's Māori Legal team, led by Dr Bryan Gilling, represents clients across the country on a wide range of issues, including advice and litigation assistance relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims, Māori land issues, and applications under the Marine and Coastal Area Act.
The firm's team reflects decades of combined legal experience. Russell Buchanan has been practising law in Wellington since 1979, while Dr Bryan Gilling brings three decades of experience across various legal roles. The wider team includes senior associates, solicitors and specialists across commercial, property, civil litigation and Māori Legal work, supported by a dedicated administration and reception team who keep the firm running day to day.
Mahony Horner Lawyers is located at JacksonStone House, Level 9, 3-11 Hunter Street, in the Wellington CBD, and is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm. The firm can be reached by phone at +64 4 473 7733, by fax at +64 4 471 1121, or by email at [email protected]. An online payment option is also available for clients through the firm's website, alongside a contact form for general enquiries.