John Steel

John Steel has over the years helped developers, investors, and landowners navigate property and commercial matters with practical insight and no fuss. He has decades of experience advising on commercial and residential property, rural transactions and development projects. He is one of the region’s leading experts in unit title developments and body corporate governance, acting for high-profile developers and private investors across Wellington.

Clients appreciate John for his calm, friendly manner and genuine interest in people. He’s approachable and thoughtful. The kind of lawyer you’d happily share a beer with at a Martinborough establishment. He’s not someone you’d immediately pick as a lawyer and that’s part of his charm. With a practical mindset and strong relationships, he gets things done properly, with no fuss.

John was formerly a Partner at Harkness Law and joined Gibson Sheat as part of its merger with the firm in 2014. John made the decision to step down from the partnership in 2024 and opt for a change of lifestyle. In 2025, he became a consultant and grabbed an opportunity to work in the in our Wairarapa office. 
He now spends his time working on sale and purchase of rural, commercial and residential properties, farm successions, and the sale and purchase of businesses, and leasing.

Outside of work, John divides his time between Wellington and the Wairarapa, where he has a lifestyle block in the Longbush area. He’s a keen golfer, and enjoys a good book or film, potting around his block and is always planning his next overseas escape.