IN A NUTSHELL I've been a self-employed legal researcher for the past five years. I also write articles on legal issues for the media, speak about legal issues at public events, and do volunteer work to support the legal profession.
BACKGROUND
2013 I graduated with a Master of Laws from Victoria University of Wellington, was admitted to the bar, and started my career working for the Principal Family Court Judge of New Zealand.
2016 I became self-employed and commenced working for the Ministry of Justice, universities, various businesses, and individual barristers.
2018 I did a lot of volunteer #metoo advocacy work and was a finalist in the 2018 Stuff Women of Influence Awards.
2019 I was elected to the Aotearoa Legal Worker's Union Executive and currently manage the Union's Employment Law Committee and Pro Bono Panel.
2020 I have recently applied to the NZ Law Society to become a sole practitioner so that I can give legal advice in addition to undertaking the research and writing work I already do.
AREAS OF FOCUS My work so far has spanned family, medical, criminal, and employment law. I'm also interested in privacy law and media law.
PAST CLIENTS
Chief Victims Advisor to the New Zealand Government, Ministry of Justice
Victoria University of Wellington, Integrated Family Violence Courts Project
Vault, bullying and sexual harassment reporting platform (UK)
Margaret Casey QC, barrister
Jan McCartney QC, barrister
University of Canterbury, Surrogacy Law Reform Project
Seattle Sperm Bank, donor sperm exporter (USA)
DNA Diagnostics, paternity testing lab
New Zealand Law Foundation, legal researcher funder
Auckland District Law Society, membership organisation
SHIFT, law firm
Stuff, media company
Newsroom, media company
Vice, media company
Bauer Media, media company
THE TYPE OF WORK I DO
Research and analyse legislation, regulations, and case law (both in New Zealand and overseas)
Draft opinions on complex legal issues
Assist with drafting submissions
Review and summarise written material
Make Official Information Act requests for statistics, operational guidelines etc.
Draft articles, reports, speeches, website and social media content
