Obituary for Justin Toebes
It is with sadness that the Board of RITANZ writes concerning the passing of Life Member and Fellow, Justin Toebes.
A practicing lawyer since 1978, Justin commenced his professional life in Taranaki, before moving to Wellington to join the partnership Rainey Collins. In 1989 he became a partner at Buddle Findlay, where he remained for more than 20 years. During that time he was a Board member, and the national head of the firm’s litigation and insolvency law practices. In 2010, Justin left Buddle Findlay to set up his own law firm, JT Law, where he practised until ill health forced him close down the firm in 2016.
Throughout his legal career, Justin specialised in insolvency law, credit recoveries, re-structuring and re-financing, and banking law. He was a trusted advisor to nearly all of the trading banks, as well as New Zealand’s leading insolvency practitioners. Justin had a unique personal style, founded upon a tremendous capacity for hard work and a ferocious intellect. At the same time, he was a generous colleague and mentor, who was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise in the world of insolvency with others around him. The list of people and organisations who have benefited from Justin’s generosity of spirit and wise counsel is vast, and he leaves behind a lasting professional legacy.
In 2015, Justin was made a Fellow of RITANZ, and in 2016 he was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to basketball.
Justin passed away on 15 August 2018, after a long and courageous battle with Motor Neuron Disease. He is survived by his partner Ayliffe, and children Finn and Olivia. A true giant in the insolvency community in Wellington has passed, and will be sadly missed.
