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About Us

Fanselows is a small, Wellington firm.  Our history dates back to 1985 when Jock Fanselow commenced practice as a sole practitioner. Soon after Jeff Tyler joined him and the firm of Fanselow & Tyler was born.  Some years later Jeff Tyler wished to return to specialist tax work and returned to work for the Inland Revenue Department, heading up its legal team.  Jock Fanselow continued with the practice but this time changed the name of the firm to JDA Fanselow. 

In 1991 Jonathan Pereira joined that firm as a law clerk and the following  year commenced practice as a lawyer.  Shortly after, in 1993 Robert Stevens after being in practice with Stevens Partners as a principal of that firm joined the firm as a consultant.  Rob began the firm's litigation practice. In 1995 Jock, Rob and Jonathan decided to go into practice as a partnership with the name Fanselows.  The firm has and continues to blossom.  

Sadly, in January 2006 Jock died after battling ill health for most of his life.  The firm and Wellington lost a popular and vibrant character.  The practice retained the name Fanselows in recognition of Jock's contribution as a partner and great friend.  The tradition of friendly, professional and practical service that started in 1995 or so years ago, continues. 

In January 2012 a new chapter in our firm began.  After many years in partnership, Rob Stevens left the partnership to head up the Public Defenders office (Northern) and has since the end of 2024 returned to the bar as a Barrister.  In 2014 Jeff Tyler returned as as a Consultant, specialising in tax, but also doing general commercial, contract, estate and trust work for the firm's clients.

Our People

Jonathan Pereira

Jonathan Pereira Position: Principal
Areas of Practice: Commercial, Company, Partnership, Small Business, Property, Trusts, Wills and general legal matters
Qualifications: BA, LLB – Victoria University of Wellington,Member of the New Zealand Property Law Section of the NZLS
Admission: 1991, New Zealand 		DD: + 64 4 801 8100
T: +64 4 384 1133
F: + 64 4 384 1134
M: + 64 21 801 810
E: jonathan@fanselows.com
Jonathan has extensive experience in small business practice, property: both residential and commercial, trusts, wills and restructuring. Jonathan was a founding partner of Fanselows and is now the Principal, and has a wide ranging general practice. Jonathan acts and has acted for a number of small Wellington businesses, Commercial Landlords and Tenants, Restaurants, bars, and other small businesses. Jonathan is also the firm's property and trust account partner and has experience in a wide range of residential and commercial property matters, including purchases, sales and refinancing. Jonathan is the firm’s Conveyancing Professional for landonline dealings. In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys time with family and friends He still plays squash and is a regular, though often reluctant attendee at the gym. An avid sports nut, he will watch most things if there is an element of competition. He enjoys Wellington's many fine restaurants, reading, music.   

Jeff Tyler

Jeff Tyler Position: Consultant
Areas of Practice: Tax, GST, Trust, Commercial, Company
Qualifications: LLB - Victoria University of Wellington
Admission: 1984 (New Zealand) 1999 (Vic) 2002 (WA) 		T: +64 4 384 1133
F: +64 4 384 1134
M: +64 21 320209
E: jeff@fanselows.com
Following initial practice in a national firm, Jeff went into practice with Jock Fanselow in a firm called Fanselow and Tyler, a predecessor to our current firm. He left that practice to move to IRD where his roles included heading the legal team and the bindng rulings unit. Following that position, Jeff moved to Australia to work as a tax specialist in a national Australian firm. On returning to New Zealand Jeff set up his own small firm and acted as a consultant to Fanselows and a national law firm, following which he returned for 18 months to the IRD to complete a project. He is a very experienced tax practitioner and also works in commercial, trust and property matters. Jeff can advise on comprehensive restructuring, tax implications of most transasactions and general, personal, property or commercial restructuiring and estate planning. Jeff regularly provides opinions to other law and accounting firms on tax issues for their clients and welcomes instructions in this regard.   

Kate Davis

 Position: Accounts
 E: kate@fanselows.com
Kate works part time as our consultant accountant and is a qualified CA.