Harshi Bains
Curriculum Vitae
Lawyer
Writer
Analytical
Persistent
Conscientious Leader
Employed
Available
I was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. I moved to New Zealand in 2016, shortly after graduating from University. I spent some time moving around the north island, gaining experience working in a large, top-tier law firm in Auckland, and then enjoying the slower pace of the Waikato in a mid-sized firm in Hamilton.
Along the way I have been fortunate enough to meet some incredible lawyers turned mentors, who have inspired me to continue pursuing new heights in my legal career.
I have recently returned to the workforce following two close rounds of parental leave. I am now eager to find a role where I will have access to high profile and complex property transactions, as well as the opportunity to work with like-minded colleagues who continually strive for excellence in their work and beyond.
Along the way I have been fortunate enough to meet some incredible lawyers turned mentors, who have inspired me to continue pursuing new heights in my legal career.
I have recently returned to the workforce following two close rounds of parental leave. I am now eager to find a role where I will have access to high profile and complex property transactions, as well as the opportunity to work with like-minded colleagues who continually strive for excellence in their work and beyond.
Solicitor
Inder Lynch
Since April 2021
- Property and private client work, engaging with a variety of clients from small-medium sized businesses to residential developers and investors.
- Advising on Sale and Purchase Agreements, Auction Agreements and Tenders for residential properties, with conveyancing transactions totalling over $30 million in six months.
- Advising on sale and purchase of businesses, leases and refinancing.
- Assisting clients with asset planning, Trusts & Estate Administration.
- Property and private client work, engaging with a variety of clients from small-medium sized businesses to residential developers and investors.
Solicitor
McCaw Lewis
January 2018
to February 2021
- As part of the Property team, I regularly advised clients in residential and commercial sale and purchase transactions, refinancing transactions and leases. My ability to quickly build rapport with clients, and pay attention to their individual needs, allowed me to deliver successful outcomes whilst working under tight timeframes.
- Worked on several master-planned residential property development projects, which combined will eventually deliver up to 2,500 new homes in the Waikato. Consequentially I have gained extensive experience in the subdivision process, from acquisition right through to sell-down.
- Built expertise in Unit Title and Body Corporate Issues, advising on the sale and purchase of unit titles, redevelopments, cancellation matters, governance related queries and maintenance problems. Worked with developers, owners, managers and various government bodies in this space.
- This role offered a lot of diversity. I also took on work advising on commercial contracts, sale and purchase of farms, resource management issues, the Overseas Investment Act, and asset planning matters.
- *NB: During this role, I was on Parental Leave for the following periods (Oct 2018 - Aug 2019) & (Mar 2020 - Feb 2021).
Legal Administrator
Simpson Grierson
March 2016
to December 2017
- Provided professional support to Partner Peter Stubbs. Our team specialised in sales and marketing, food, beverage, sports, venues, entertainment and events law.
- As well as providing administrative support, I assisted with legal research and drafting tasks, including drafting board papers, board policies, company secretarial documents and legal updates. I also wrote legal articles published by the Marketing Association and other online publications.
- I was responsible for managing the team's social media and increasing our team's online presence and engagement. I regularly drafted content to be published across different social media platforms via Hootsuite.
- I participated in the Commercial and Banking & Finance core skills seminars, which covered useful skills and topics which junior lawyers are likely to encounter in their first years of practice.
Law Clerk
Joshi Lawyers
May 2015
to November 2015
- Assisted in the management of all commercial and residential property conveyancing files, which involved frequent liaison with clients and third parties, and adhering to strict deadlines.
- My adaptability was the key to me being able to handle a variety of business related matters, including drafting lease documents, reviewing contracts and shareholder agreements and advising clients on the sale and purchase of businesses.
- My written and oral communication skills were strengthened by frequently liaising with the courts and drafting documents relating to various property, commercial and family law matters.
- I became familiar with LexisNexis and Westlaw databases whilst assisting in research for complex cases. One case in particular involved the administration of a deceased's estate and my research assisted in a favourable outcome for our grieving client.
Owner/Operator
Four Square Raglan
Since July 2016
- Our family business is the Four Square supermarket in Raglan, Waikato.
- I use my legal background to evaluate potential commercial arrangements, draft employment contracts, arrange on-site and off-site training and oversee the management of rosters, staff leave and payroll.
- I work closely with third parties and key stakeholders, including parent company Foodstuffs, on improving store policies, procedures and processes.
Student Ambassador
La Trobe University
June 2012
to September 2015
- Working as part of a team, I organised and managed events such as "Experience La Trobe", allowing prospective university students to get a taste of different areas of university study.
- I spoke on the student panel for various public events such as the Marketing and Recruitment Divisional Conference.
- I co-ordinated several workshops with young people on leadership and social justice issues.
Founder and Club Secretary
Victorian Girls United Sports Club
January 2012
to January 2016
- I founded this not-for-profit organisation aimed at providing an opportunity for women of all ages in the Indian community to play soccer competitively.
- As club Secretary, I was responsible for running the organisation, completing registration paperwork, holding meetings, liaising with the council and government officials to secure training facilities and applying for funding.
- For my volunteering efforts, I received an award for community involvement from Hon. Matthew Guy, current leader of the Victorian Liberal Party in Melbourne, Australia.
Volunteer Work
Charities and Organisations I have volunteered for:
Since 2006
- World Vision Youth
- Y-GAP (Y-Generation Against Poverty)
- Amnesty International
- Save the Children Foundation
- ActionAid
- Comfort Rwanda and Congo
- Victorian Girls United Soccer Club (Founder)
- Khalsa Aid
- Sikhs Helping Sikhs
Admitted to practise - New Zealand
Admitted as a lawyer to the High Court of New Zealand - 21 September 2017
Admitted to practise - Victoria, Australia
Admitted as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of Victoria - 22 March 2016
Activities & Achievements:
• Student Exchange to Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada
• Participation in Australian Model United Nations Conferences
• Participation in Court Experience Program with Crockett Chambers
• Tutorial award for excellence in my Macroeconomics classes
• Student Exchange to Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada
• Participation in Australian Model United Nations Conferences
• Participation in Court Experience Program with Crockett Chambers
• Tutorial award for excellence in my Macroeconomics classes
Victorian Certificate of Education
The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School
January 2006
to December 2009
Activities & Achievements:
• ATAR: 94.85
• Social Service Captain
• Senior Tennis Team Captain
• Full School Colours in Sport
• Sports Exchange with Adelaide High School
• Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award
• Recipient of Collegiate Scholarship to Bond University
• ATAR: 94.85
• Social Service Captain
• Senior Tennis Team Captain
• Full School Colours in Sport
• Sports Exchange with Adelaide High School
• Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award
• Recipient of Collegiate Scholarship to Bond University
Activities & Achievements:
• F.O. Watts Scholarship
• General Academic Excellence Award in 2004 and 2005
• Firsts Tennis Team Captain
• Full School Colours in Tennis and Soccer
• F.O. Watts Scholarship
• General Academic Excellence Award in 2004 and 2005
• Firsts Tennis Team Captain
• Full School Colours in Tennis and Soccer
PETER STUBBS
Commercial Lawyer
(Former Partner - Simpson Grierson)
Ph: +64 21 955 230
peter@peterstubbs.co.nz
DINESH JOSHI
Principal Solicitor - Joshi Lawyers
Ph: +61 3 8386 9502
dinesh@joshilawyers.com.au
Commercial Lawyer
(Former Partner - Simpson Grierson)
Ph: +64 21 955 230
peter@peterstubbs.co.nz
DINESH JOSHI
Principal Solicitor - Joshi Lawyers
Ph: +61 3 8386 9502
dinesh@joshilawyers.com.au
- I play tennis and soccer competitively and I'm passionate about encouraging others, especially women from the Indian diaspora, to find ways to lead an active lifestyle and stay fit.
- As well as writing articles about recent developments in my chosen field of law, I also like to write about issues which are close to my heart, such as women's rights and empowerment. In the past I have contributed written content to several online publications.
- In recent years I've become increasingly mindful of the resources I am using and how I can personally reduce my impact on the environment. This is a cause I am passionate about and continue to advocate for.
