Michaela Greaney

Whilst born in New Zealand, Michaela grew up and was schooled in Australia. Michaela completed her law degree and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice in Australia and was admitted to the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory of Australia on 17 December 2004.

Michaela completed her Articles and went on to be a junior solicitor with a generalist law firm in Australia, where she undertook a variety of commercial and litigation matters. She then went on to work as a Commonwealth Prosecutor with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions based in Townsville and then Cairns in Queensland for a few years. Michaela was involved in all stages of prosecutions, appearing in Magistrates, District and Supreme Court sittings as well as dealing with mental health and Federal Family Court matters.

Michaela has also worked for the local Council in the Northern Territory of Australia, attached to the building compliance unit regulating the building industry by investigating, auditing and undertaking professional misconduct and prosecutorial proceedings associated with non compliance.

Upon coming to New Zealand, Michaela focused her litigation experience to relationship property and estate litigation and Family Law proceedings. She also acted on behalf of the Far North District Council in relation to dog control and building compliance.

Michaela continues to specialise in relationship property and estate litigation on behalf of individual claimants, executors of estates or trustees in the Family Court and High Court. She prepares Contracting Out Agreements for new and existing relationships and upon separation. She also undertakes a variety of Trust related and resource management proceedings.

Michaela believes she thrives in her current environment, having the support of and access to specialist expertise within Lyon O’Neale Arnold Lawyers Limited. In her free time, Michaela enjoys being outdoors soaking up all the Bay of Plenty has to offer!