In this edition we profile Lois Flanagan one of the four Assistant Governors based in Canterbury.

Lois graduated from the University of Canterbury in 1971 with a BA in English and Social Sciences, then was a teacher for several years in New Zealand and England. After having her children, Lois retrained as a lawyer, gaining her law degree with First Class Honours in 1997.

Lois joined Parry Field in 1997, after a varied teaching career both in New Zealand and overseas. She became the first woman partner of Parry Field in 2007. She has experience in resolving all kinds of family and employment disputes. Lois is passionate about assisting people to resolve their conflicts in a constructive and practical manner and, like most clients, prefers a mediated approach (where possible) to expensive court processes. She began the Employment and Family law practices which continue today. Lois has recently retired from active client matters at Parry Field.

In her legal career Lois also gave advice to employers on all areas of employment law including restructuring and contractual issues and in resolving disputes including personal grievances. She also undertook mediation at Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) on many occasions for employers and employees, as well as acting as mediator in a number of private business and church disputes.

As a family lawyer Lois appeared in the Family Court in family disputes, dealing with care of children as well as property and trust issues resulting from relationship breakups.

Lois enjoys gardening, travel and music. Lois is on the Board of Trustees of Arahura Counselling Centre in Christchurch, is Honorary lawyer for another counselling centre, serves on her local Residents Committee, and is very active in Rotary, serving as Papanui Rotary President in 2017-2018. She attends Riccarton Community Church and actively mentors a number of young women. Lois joined the Board of Pathway Trust in 2020. 

Her family activities include keeping in touch with her three lawyer sons (one of whom has appeared before the Privy Council) between Auckland, Wellington and London, and spending time with her young grandchildren.