I was admitted to the bar in 2000 and after getting general legal experience in a large Dunedin law firm for three years, I headed off on my “Big OE” to London. I thoroughly enjoyed the life in London, funding my travel by working in local authority positions in the child protection sphere.

After four years I knew I was ready to return to New Zealand and I returned, refreshed, to Dunedin in early 2007. I was delighted to receive a number of calls from local firms after they learned I was back in town, and after interviews with a few firms, I accepted a position with Anita Chan (now KC).

Thus since 2007 I have been a specialist family law barrister. I have been regularly appointed as Lawyer for Children for the Dunedin Family Court since 2010 and am a Legal Aid lead provider. I have been approved by the New Zealand Law Society to accept direct instructions. I appear regularly in the Family Court and have appeared in the High Court on appeals from the Family Court. For many years I acted as duty lawyer in the District (Criminal) Court.

The day of the big quake in Christchurch, in February 2011, caused me to reflect on what I really wanted to do, and two months later I “went out on my own” as a barrister sole. I have been in business on my own since May 2011 and still thoroughly enjoy helping individuals navigate difficult times in their lives and working hard to be the best family lawyer that I can.

Since returning to New Zealand in 2007 I have acted for many hundreds of clients including well over a hundred child clients. In the vast majority of cases, I have successfully assisted my clients to settle matters such as child care arrangements or settlement of property satisfactorily by agreement and outside of Court. Where matters do have to go before a Judge for a decision, I maintain an extremely high success rate.

In 2018 I trained in the Collaborative process and I now look forward to helping clients resolve disputes with dignity and through discussion and negotiation, rather than litigation.

Over the years I have supplemented my private practice by tutoring at the University of Otago in LAWS101, volunteering at Community Law (the Law Centre) and serving on a number of committees including 6 years sitting on the NZLS Standards Committee.

My full Curriculum Vitae is available on my LinkedIn profile.

I am a single parent myself, and share the care of my primary school aged son with my ex-husband. Whilst married, I attempted (unsuccessfully, as it turns out!) to blend a family and be step-mother to the children of my husband’s first marriage. Thus I feel I can say, when it comes to parenting through separation, I walk the talk!

I appreciate the privilege that I am fortunate to have, and do a little bit to give back by being a Guardian Angel for Family Works and supporting two children through KidsCan.

In the past I have been a “Big Buddy” for the Presbyterian Support Otago Buddy Programme, was a ChatBus “Star” supporter and I sponsored children living in poverty overseas. I had the immense pleasure of visiting my World Vision sponsored children in India and Tanzania in person during my travels (2003 - 2006).

I am passionate about the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" message and I try consistently to reduce the environmental effect of my business by using digital communication and filing instead of printing wherever possible, as well as re-using and recycling all paper and other consumables used in my business.

If you are considering the need for family legal advice services, you can read more about what happens when you first contact a relationship property or divorce lawyer, or get in touch to arrange an appointment with me.