Priscilla Brown

Priscilla is one of the leaders of Russell McVeagh's private client team delivering expert advice on all areas of personal asset ownership, family succession and philanthropy. She is a highly skilled and trusted adviser to high-net-worth individuals, families and professional fiduciaries, who develops close and enduring relationships with her clients.
 
Priscilla specialises in the transition and protection of property interests, including estate planning, trusts and relationship property matters. She has guided many clients through difficult disputes to obtain the best possible outcome. Priscilla has often been engaged in cases in both Family Court and High Court, with a dedication to achieving a successful result for her clients, whether that be by way of a decision or using her skill to obtain a mediated outcome. Priscilla's more than 10 years' experience in dispute resolution has provided her with invaluable knowledge when advising clients on protecting their property interests.

Priscilla has worked in a range of different legal environments which has widened her skill base and enables her to respond to the different issues that face her clients. Her career started at a top tier firm in the banking and finance team. It was her interest in working closely with private clients that led her to subsequently move to two separate boutique firms that were established by esteemed practitioners from national firms to provide specialised service to clients. Prior to coming to Russell McVeagh Priscilla ran her own successful practice for eight years, specialising in trust, estate and relationship property matters.
 
Priscilla's recent experience includes:

• Advising clients on estate plans, including trusts and company structures.

• Preparing wills, enduring powers of attorney and trusts.

• Advising on relationship property matters and preparing pre-nuptial agreement and post separation agreements for the division of property.

• Acting for the successful plaintiff in Green v Green [2015] NZHC 1218.

• Acting for a successful defendant in Clement v Clement [2017] NZHC 3278.

• Acting for the successful applicant in first award of spousal maintenance against an estate in Beric v Eady [2018] NZFC 7076.

• Acting for two brothers in estate and trust litigation that started in 2019 and has included four separate proceedings:

  • Making an application for grant of probate in solemn form of their mother’s final will and defending allegations of undue influence in the High Court.

  • Making an application for removal of one trustee of a family trust which resulted in consent orders being granted by the High Court.

  • Successfully defending an application to vary consent orders and obtaining indemnity costs against the applicant.

  • Acting for them as executors against a claim under the Family Protection Act.

  • Defending an application for removal of trustees of a second family trust in the High Court.

• Representing trustees in applications for directions and defending beneficiary claims under the Trustee Act 1976 and Trusts Act 2019 in the High Court.

• Defending estates against claims under the Family Protection Act and Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act.

• Representing beneficiaries in applications for trust information and/or removal of trustees under the Trustee Act 1976 and Trusts Act 2019 in the High Court.

• Representing beneficiaries/claimants in proceedings under the Family Protection Act 1955 in the Family Court and High Court.

• Representing clients in proceedings under the Property (Relationship) Act 1976 and Family Proceedings Act in the Family Court and High Court.

• Representing applicants/respondents in relation to claims for recall of grant of probate in the High Court, including claims of undue influence and/or want of knowledge and approval.

• Negotiating settlement agreements with partners, trustees, executors, beneficiaries, and claimants.

• Representing clients at private mediations of disputes.

• Presenting at NZLS Trusts Conference in 2021.

• Trustee of Connect the Dots Charitable Trust from 2017-2021.

Barrister and Solicitor of High Court of New Zealand
Member of CAANZ Trust Special Interest Group
TEP Member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Member of Law Association Trust Law Committee
Mentor of Auckland Women's Lawyers Association

Client testimonials:

"It has been my privilege to have been a client of Priscilla Brown for the last three years. Priscilla is extremely competent, a strong advocate and skilful at achieving the best results possible. Along with her tinkle of humour Priscilla is an outstanding lawyer and has enabled me to look back at those rough times with a smile." M Dasilva

" Priscilla overcame the complexities of our case with professionalism and understanding. She provided us with clearly explained opinions and advice that eventually led to the claim being withdrawn and parties settling amicably. We unreservedly recommend Priscilla for her knowledge, experience and communication skills." L Chapman