Rico Horsley

-          Director

Rico is a trust and commercial lawyer, specialising in trust structuring and implementation, aimed primarily at risk management and effective asset protection.

Rico completed an arts degree (majoring in psychology and political science) (BA) and a law degree (LLB) at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. After completing his initial studies, Rico was admitted as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa and practiced commercial law and litigation in Pretoria.

After moving to New Zealand in 1994, Rico completed his master’s degree in Commercial Law at the University of Auckland, where he was employed as an assistant lecturer in The Department of Commercial Law.

In 2004, Rico and a colleague launched a law firm in Ponsonby, Auckland, quickly gaining a reputation for providing excellent legal advice and services.

In 2017, in search of another challenge and the opportunity to create a legacy under his own firm, Rico founded Maxim Legal and opened the firm to the public on 1st June, 2017.

Areas of Legal Expertise

Commercial - Property - Trusts - Estates

RUTH KEMBALL

-         Associate

Ruth grew up in England and completed a law degree (LLB) at the University of Nottingham. After completing law school at Guilford Ruth was admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales and practiced property and agricultural law in Suffolk.

After moving to Auckland in 2001 Ruth completed her transfer exams and practiced as a property lawyer in the same firm as Rico.

In 2004 Ruth returned to England where she worked in house for Barclays Bank negotiating IT outsourcing agreements and procurement contracts for Barclays.

In 2007 Ruth returned to New Zealand where she practiced as a property lawyer, working for a large Auckland firm. In 2009 Ruth left work to become a full-time mother. Ruth’s children are now both at school and when Rico offered her the opportunity to work for Maxim Legal part-time, Ruth was keen to become part of the team. Since first working together Ruth and Rico have remained in contact and Ruth is enjoying the team environment at Maxim Legal, the variety of work, and the flexible hours which enable her to also spend time with her children.

Areas of Legal Expertise

Commercial - Property - Trusts

eric cook

-         Solicitor

Eric grew up locally in Grey Lynn where he attended St Pauls College, Ponsonby. Eric has studied a Bachelor of Laws at the Auckland
University of Technology. Eric is a keen sportsman and enjoys supporting his local Rugby League Club the Richmond Rovers Football Club as a Coach and Volunteer.

After graduating, Eric worked in Employment advisory supporting Auckland business through multiple Covid-19 Lockdowns, and advising on disciplinary, restructuring, and performance management processes. Eric has an interest in transactional work such as commercial and conveyancing and will work on developing his transactional skillset. Eric has joined Maxim Legal to work closely with Rico, Ruth, and Tinei.  

rohith pillai

-         Law Clerk

Rohith grew up in Auckland and graduated from King’s College in 2017. He is currently working through his final year at the University of Auckland, where he studies a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts conjoint, majoring in psychology and philosophy.

Rohith covers the administration side of things, and keeps an eye on the peripheral. Whether it be filing, updating our website, or picking our daily music playlists, he ensures that all the small jobs are ticking over and running smoothly.

In order to juggle being a full-time student, Rohith works part-time and comes in for twenty-five hours a week. He truly enjoys being part of such a great team, and is especially grateful for the opportunity to see how an actual law firm functions. In his free time, Rohith loves volunteering and going to concerts.