Chen Legal is an Auckland-based New Zealand law firm with satellite offices in Shanghai and Brisbane. Founded in 2019 by David Chen, the firm specialises in immigration, conveyancing and property law, family law, trusts and asset planning, and company and commercial matters. The firm serves individual and business clients across New Zealand and provides services tailored to New Zealanders residing in Australia and China.

Chen Legal has built a strong connection with the North Shore and migrant communities, cultivating a reputation for practical legal support for Chinese and local clients. The team includes solicitors and advisers admitted in New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong and offers multilingual capability to assist clients across cultural and jurisdictional boundaries.

The firm emphasises bridging legal and cultural gaps to reduce complexity for clients, focusing on clear communication, cost-effective solutions and careful asset protection. Chen Legal combines transactional experience in property and commercial matters with family, immigration and estate planning services to provide integrated legal support designed to give clients confidence and peace of mind.

About Chen Legal/also trading as Sentinel Lawyers

Founded in 2019

11 people in their team


Practice areas
Immigration
Real Estate
Family
Corporate & Commercial
Private Client

Languages spoken
English

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Practice areas

Immigration

Chen Legal assists clients with visa applications and appeals, immigration-related compliance and OIO or foreign investment matters where immigration and property intersect. The practice supports migrants and expatriates with cross-border relocation, visa appeals and documentation, and offers culturally aware guidance for clients moving between New Zealand, Australia and China.
Asylum
Business Visa
Citizenship
Dependent Visa
Permanent Residency
Retirement Visa
Work Permit
Citizenship by Investment
Residence by Investment
Golden Visa

Real Estate

The firm provides conveyancing and property law services for residential and commercial transactions, including buying and selling property, property development, subdivisions, mortgage and refinancing matters, easements and land covenants, cross-lease and unit title conversion work. Chen Legal handles title and transaction documentation and works to ensure efficient closings and clear risk management for purchasers, vendors and developers.
Commercial Real Estate
Housing, Construction & Development
Foreclosure
Land Use & Zoning
Landlord & Tenant
Mortgage
Real Estate Due Diligence
Real Estate Contracts and Negotiations
Brokerage
Conveyancing

Family

Chen Legal advises on relationship property, separation and contracting-out agreements, dissolution of marriage and guardianship applications, delivering practical solutions to divide assets, formalise agreements and manage family law processes. The practice focuses on protecting client interests through careful documentation and negotiation while guiding clients through court processes where required.
Adoption
Child Abuse
Child Custody
Child Support
Child Visitation
Collaborative Law
Divorce & Separation
Domestic Violence
Father's Rights
Marriage
Military Divorce
Same Sex & LGBT
Annulment

Corporate & Commercial

The firm provides company formation and governance advice, commercial contracts and transaction support including acquisitions and sales, commercial leases, franchise and joint venture agreements, shareholder agreements, guarantees and security documentation and PPSR registrations. Chen Legal assists businesses with structuring, contract drafting and commercial negotiation to reduce legal risk and support operational objectives.
Administrative
Admiralty & Maritime
Agriculture
Antitrust
Aviation
Business Registration
Contract
Due Diligence
Franchising
Gaming
Government Contract
Licensing
Merger & Acquisition
Transportation
Venture Capital
Cannabis Law
Nonprofit & Charitable Organizations
International Trade Law
Government Relations & Lobbying
Private Equity
Corporate Governance
Sanctions & Export Controls

Private Client

Chen Legal offers trusts and asset planning services including family trust formation, trust review and restructuring, gifting and winding up of trusts, wills, enduring powers of attorney and probate and estate administration. The practice focuses on protecting client assets, ensuring succession planning is effective and compliant, and providing tailored strategies for domestic and international asset management.
Elder Law
Estate Planning
Guardianship
Nursing Home Abuse
Probate
Trusts
Inheritance Law
Will & Testament
Elder Abuse Law

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