Invercargill’s Experienced and Approachable Lawyers
Our Team
Roger Eagles - Partner - B.A., L.L.M. (Hons)
Roger has a special interest in Civil, Criminal and Relationship Property matters. He is the founding partner of Eagles, Eagles & Redpath, beginning the firm in 1978. With thirty-eight years experience in legal practice, Roger welcomes difficult and challenging cases in these areas.
Roger has an interest in sports administration and is a former President of New Zealand masters Swimming and former Chairman of Sports Southland. Currently, Roger is Chairman of Aquatics NZ Inc. and a Member of the FINA Masters Swimming Committee.
Virginia Wilson - Partner - LL.B., B.A., PostGradDip
Virginia has been practising for 37 years primarily in the areas of farming, business, commercial and residential law plus trusts, estates and the restructuring of legal entities.
She is involved with Soroptimist International and has served at club, region, federation and international levels. She is a trustee of The Conductive Education (Southern) Charitable Trust, Chairperson of the Local Executive Committee of CCS Disability Southland and is involved with the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand locally and has served on two of its national work groups.
Her immediate and extended family are important to her, she has broad tastes in music playing both piano and organ while interests in New Zealand art, the design and discipline of gardening, travel and her friends add further significant dimensions to her life.
Peter Redpath - Partner - LL.B., B.A. (Hons)
Peter’s particular areas of interests include Family Law, Employment Law and Criminal and associated prosecutions.
Peter has lived in Southland all of his life, is married and has four children. Outside of law, Peter has been actively involved in the Southland Community. This has included being a trustee of the Community Trust of Southland for eight years, School Board Member (and Chair), active involvement in administration and projects for various sporting bodies.
Peter has a strong interest in sport and outdoor recreation, being an active participant and following his children’s sport over the years. He also has a keen interest in following the arts and music.
Richard Little - Partner - LL.B., BSc
Richard enjoys working in many different areas of the law specialising in conveyancing, civil and private law (wills, trusts etc). He has a particular interest in mental health law and regularly appears in mental health proceedings in his current role as the District Inspector for Mental Health in Southland.
He regularly appears on behalf of clients in the criminal court and is always available for agency instructions particularly in the High Court.
He is currently testing the capabilities of online Legal Services and is actively seeking new instructions from clients everywhere.
Richard was raised in Southland, living across the district and attending Southland Boys High School before attending Otago University. He then returned home to work with Eagles, Eagles and Redpath in 2010. He spent a year in Europe in 2014 before returning to concentrate on his career in law.
Both socially and competitively, Richard is active in the sporting community. He currently plays for the Invercargill Blues Rugby Club and enjoys social netball, squash and running whenever he can fit it in.
Richard will be happy to hear from you with any legal issues you might have, contact Richard today!
Katarina Coote – Partner – LL.B.
Katarina was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in 2019 and joined the Eagles Eagles & Redpath team in January 2020. Since then, she has gained broad experience in both criminal defence and family law, regularly representing clients in the District and Family Courts across a wide range of matters.
In criminal defence, Katarina provides expert legal advice and representation in cases involving traffic, violence, dishonesty, and drug offending. She also has experience in appealing bail and sentencing decisions to the High Court. With her duty lawyer approval, Katarina represents individuals in the District Court who are without legal counsel, ensuring that everyone has access to proper representation.
In family law, Katarina offers compassionate legal support to clients navigating family violence, child care and contact matters, and Oranga Tamariki Act proceedings. She also provides guidance through the Family Legal Advice Service, helping clients understand their rights and options in complex family situations.
A proud Southlander, Katarina was raised in Bluff and attended Southland Girls’ High School before earning her law degree from the University of Otago. She is of Rakiura Māori descent, with whakapapa to Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, and Kāi Tahu, and has a strong connection to the Southland community. Katarina is driven by a deep belief in helping those in need and ensuring they have access to quality legal representation.
Outside of her legal career, Katarina values time spent with her son and family, who are a central part of her life.
Makareta Coote - Associate - LLB
Makareta specialises in family law (including relationship property division and prenuptial/contracting out agreements), conveyancing, and civil and private law matters such as trusts, wills, enduring powers of attorney, and estate planning.
She has a particular interest in deceased estate challenges and Māori land law.
Raised in Bluff, Makareta is proudly of Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, and Ngāi Tahu descent. She attended Southland Girls’ High School in Invercargill before studying law at the University of Otago, graduating in 2018 and being admitted to the bar in 2019.
Makareta joined Eagles, Eagles & Redpath in June 2025, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience across many areas of law, both inside and outside the courtroom.
Makareta is a compassionate yet compelling lawyer who consistently strives to go above and beyond for her clients. She warmly welcomes all new and existing clients.
Outside of work, Makareta enjoys spending quality time with her whānau and holidaying at Ruapuke Island on her whānau’s ancestral land.
Tessa Kirby – Associate – LLB
Tessa graduated with an LLB at the end of 2022 after spending 5 years at the University of Canterbury studying Law and Psychology. She as admitted to the bar in July 2023 and hit the ground running.
Tessa’s primary areas of practice include Conveyancing, Criminal and Family law.
With a special interest in access to justice and client advocacy, Tessa often appears in the District Court. She is able to assist clients and discuss their options in regard to driving offences and other low-level matters. You may also see her gaining experience and assisting our senior partners in trials.
Having recently bought a house, Tessa is passionate about assisting first home buyers with the purchasing process and making it as seamless and easy to navigate as possible.
In the space of Family Law, Tessa predominantly works with clients applying for and responding to Without Notice Applications for Parenting Orders, Guardianship Orders and Protection Orders. In helping clients navigate this emotional time, Tessa strives to be compassionate and equitable in her advice and work.
Tessa is a born and bred Southlander and grew up in a farming family. Outside of work she is usually spending time with family, friends, her dog, Luke or golfing! She also claims to bake the best cookies in the world!
Amber Burke – Registered Legal Executive
Outside of work Amber enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, or out on a bush walk.
Libby Haywood – Law Clerk
Natasha Jenkins – Registered Legal Executive
Registered as a Legal Executive in 2018, Natasha holds Associate membership with Legal Executives New Zealand and has more than 12 years’ experience working in Southland law firms.
Natasha joined the team in June 2026 and assists clients with all aspects of estate administration, guiding families through the process of administering a loved one’s estate with compassion, understanding and clear advice during what is often a difficult time.
She also undertakes residential conveyancing including first-home purchases, Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and has an interest in assisting with family and civil matters.
What Natasha enjoys most about her role is helping people navigate important life events and making the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible for her clients.
Support Staff
Jude Macdonald
Personal assistant to Peter Redpath
Jude joined the team in January 1986, Jude assists Peter with Criminal, Family & Employment matters and has a special interest dealing with Criminal Proceedings. In her spare time Jude enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Hannah Brooking
As the friendly face of our team, Hannah is dedicated to making every client feel valued the moment they walk through our doors or call our office. With a passion for customer care and seamless organization, Hannah ensures your questions are answered and your visits are smooth and welcoming.
Sharni Frew
Personal assistant to Roger Eagles
Sharni comes to us with valuable experience gained from working within other Southland law firms, meaning she hits the ground running.
If you are getting in touch with Roger, Sharni will be your main point of contact, keeping things moving smoothly with her excellent client support and legal knowledge.
Sharni enjoys the outdoors, mountain biking, keeping active and a bit of social golf in her spare time.
Caitlyn Hamilton
Personal Assistant to Richard Little
Caitlyn joined the team in April 2025 as our Receptionist and quickly became a valued member of the office with her friendly nature and strong organisational skills. In June 2026, she stepped into her current role as Richard’s PA, where she enjoys supporting the team and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Outside of work, Caitlyn loves staying active and making the most of her time with family and friends.
Nikita Brookland
Personal assistant to Katarina Coote, Makareta Coote and Tessa Kirby.
nikitab@eagles-eagles.co.nz
Nikita joined the team at the beginning of August 2023 as our Receptionist before moving into her current role as Katarina, Tessa & Bella’s PA in February 2024.
Nikita assists with Criminal and Family matters and has a special interest dealing with Criminal Proceedings. Nikita also assists Richard with some conveyancing files which she especially enjoys. In her spare time Nikita enjoys keeping active and spending time with her friends, family and her cavaoodle Ziggy.
Gillian Evans
Legal Secretary to Roger Eagles and Virginia Wilson
Gillian has rejoined our team after 30 years.
She initially started as our Office Junior in 1985. Gillian will be assisting Roger’s and Virginia’s PA’s and also assisting at reception.
Gillian enjoys spending time with her family and getting away in their campervan.
- Interests of people’s come first.
- Access to justice the important pathway for clients.
- Professionalism and quality of legal work performed for clients.
- Integrity of the Partners and staff in the firm.
- Maintenance of the firm’s hard work ethic.
- Ensuring there is a pleasant and supportive working environment for Partners and staff.