Our Team
Property Law, Commercial Law, Trusts and Estate Planning
Qualifications
LLB, The University of Auckland
Contact
Victor Mechkov
Principal
As Principal, Victor works closely with the team to foster a strategically-driven environment that delivers the best outcomes for our clients.
Victor began work as a law clerk at Stainton Chellew in 2011 whilst studying at university. When he graduated the following year, he moved into a full-time position as a solicitor.
He is now the principal of the firm and specialises in commercial and property law, estate planning, and trusts. He believes what separates him from other lawyers is that he deeply cares about his clients, is approachable and provides a personal service. Victor is a pragmatic, big-picture person lawyer who will do whatever it takes to deliver the client the desired outcome.
Victor is involved in the Russian speaking community and assists many Russian speaking clients and charitable organisations with their legal needs.
Outside of work Victor enjoys training martial arts which he has been doing since the age of 7. When he is not training, Victor enjoys spending time with his wife and their 3 young children.
Victor Mechkov
Principal
Property Law, Commercial Law, Trusts and Estate Planning
Litigation and Disputes, Employment, Trusts and Estate Planning
Qualifications
LLB, University of Otago
Contact
Bruce Stainton
Consultant
Bruce works in litigation, disputes, and employment and does some advisory work on trusts and estate planning.
Bruce was born and raised in Wellington before following his now-wife to Auckland to get married. He attended Otago University and did compulsory military training at the territorials during his studies. After high school, Bruce decided to go into law because he is a people person who loves solving people’s problems.
Initially, Bruce joined Mason Caldwell Mason, taught himself a litigation role and became a partner. Then in 1997, the firm split and changed its name to Stainton Chellew.
He believes his time in the army helped him develop processes to draw trust from his employees and clients and achieve goals under challenging circumstances. Bruce is a keen boatie and DIY guy, having spent time in the construction industry.
Bruce Stainton
Consultant
Litigation and Disputes, Employment, Trusts and Estate Planning
Litigation and Disputes, Relationship Property, Trusts and Estate Planning, Family Law Matters, Employment
Qualifications
LLB, The University of Auckland (Honours)
Contact
Pamela Wright
Senior Associate
Pamela is a Senior Associate in the Litigation and Disputes Resolutions team.
Pamela comes with expertise in Relationship Property (e.g., contracting out and settlement agreements), Wills and Estate disputes, and associated family law matters such as PPPR applications. Pamela also provides Employment Law advice to both employers and employees. Her focus is on her clients – to listen and to provide legal assistance, guidance, and advocacy.
Outside of work, Pamela enjoys spending time with her family and friends, regularly goes to the theatre, opera, and the movies, is a member of a book club, and was President of the Auckland Herb Society.
Pamela Wright
Senior Associate
Litigation and Disputes, Relationship Property, Trusts and Estate Planning, Family Law Matters, Employment
Property Law, Commercial Law, Trusts and Estate Planning, AML Compliance
Qualifications
LLM, University of Vienna
LLM, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Contact
Ana Kovtun
Solicitor
As a qualified NZ Solicitor, Ana assists with trusts, commercial and residential conveyancing, wills, estate planning and AML compliance requirements.
An avid traveller, Ana got her two Master of Laws degrees from universities in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Vienna, Austria, before working as a Legal Compliance Officer in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
She has worked at Stainton Chellew since mid-2021 as a Legal Executive and has recently converted her degrees, allowing her to get admitted to the bar in November 2024.
Ana enjoys the gym, yoga, and movies in her free time.
Ana Kovtun
Solicitor
Property Law, Commercial Law, Trusts and Estate Planning, AML Compliance
Mary-Jane Mechkova
Legal Assistant – Administrator
Mary-Jane joined Stainton Chellew in late 2024 as the welcoming face of our firm, managing reception and ensuring our operations run smoothly.
With a strong foundation in health and wellbeing, Mary-Jane is a qualified Occupational Therapist and an experienced Pilates instructor, bringing warmth, energy, and a thoughtful approach to all she does.
Outside of work, Mary-Jane leads a full and active life as a proud mother of three. In her free time, you will catch her teaching Pilates, practicing yoga, exploring the outdoors on scenic walks, and indulging her love for food as a keen foodie who enjoys discovering and experimenting with new cuisines.
Mary-Jane Mechkova
Legal Assistant – Administrator
Legal Assistant and Front of House
Qualifications
Contact
Munisa Makhamatjonova
Accounts and Trust Accounts Administrator
Munisa Makhamatjonova is an experienced accountant and financial consultant with nearly five years of experience in accounting, financial analysis, and consulting, primarily gained while working in Uzbekistan. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with Finance from Westminster University. Fluent in Uzbek, English, Russian, and Turkish, Munisa brings a global perspective to her work.
Munisa began her career in procurement and later transitioned to accounting and financial management roles, specialising in payroll, expense reports, tax reporting, financial reconciliation, and consulting.
In 2024, after relocating to Auckland, New Zealand, Munisa joined Stainton Chellew Lawyers as a Trust Account Administrator, further enhancing her expertise in trust account operations.
In her free time, Munisa enjoys Zumba, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Munisa Makhamatjonova
Accounts and Trust Accounts Administrator
Accounts and Trust Accounts Management
Samantha Folley
Law Clerk
As a Law Clerk, Samantha provides assistance in conveyancing, commercial law, and trusts and estate planning matters, alongside maintaining the deeds library, and managing file archiving.
Samantha was born and raised in Rotorua before moving to Auckland in 2021 to study her Bachelor of Laws. She joined the Stainton Chellew team in early 2024 during her final year of university. As she transitions from her studies to a career in the legal profession, she is utilising the practical skills she has gained through her experience at Stainton Chellew to contribute effectively to achieving positive outcomes for clients. Samantha takes a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to her work with a commitment to delivering effective results.
Outside of work, Samantha enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. Samantha will begin her Professional Legal Studies Course before starting the process to become admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor.
Samantha Folley
Law Clerk
Conveyancing, Commercial Law, Trusts and Estate Planning Matters
Ted Wu
Law Clerk
Ted is a law clerk assisting primarily with litigation and disputes, as well as with residential conveyancing and estate planning.
A fourth-year Law Honours and Property conjoint student, Ted assists the firm to achieve best results for clients. With a sharp focus on delivering practical and effective legal solutions, Ted aims for a targeted and effective approach to his work.
Ted has been working with the firm since mid-2024 alongside being a full-time student and making the most of both experiences. Ted travelled to Sydney and New York in 2024 to compete for the University’s debating team, making use of his practical legal perspective gained at Stainton Chellew.
Beyond his academic and professional commitments, Ted cultivates a well-rounded lifestyle. He is a regular attendee of the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a keen practitioner of Thai kickboxing. On weekends, he enjoys exploring local markets and as a keen foodie, trying all there is to offer.
Ted Wu
Law Clerk
Assists with Litigation, disputes, Residential Conveyancing and Estate Planning
