My areas of Expertise
Specialist Practice Areas
What I like about my work
I enjoy becoming an "expert" in the subject matter of each particular dispute, and then working with clients and colleagues to find a solution. I am constantly amazed and/or appalled by the drama of human disputes, and moved by the tenacity and courage of people in the most difficult of circumstances. It is a real privilege to be involved with clients at crisis points in their lives, and to play a part in resolving the crisis.
What I’ve done in the past
When I graduated from university, I became a trainee television producer and director for a year. I then returned to university to complete my professional examinations, whilst working full-time at the Crown Solicitors in Dunedin. I spent 7 years there focusing on prosecution work before I headed off on my OE, during which time I worked for a law firm in the UK.
On my return to Dunedin, I worked for the Ministry of Fisheries, specialising in criminal and fraud-based prosecutions. In 2000, I was appointed to the Legal Aid Review Panel, where I worked part-time for 2 years while my 2 children were both pre-schoolers. I joined Anderson Lloyd in 2002 and became a partner in 2004.
What I enjoy at work
I like the fact that Anderson Lloyd is a large firm, which brings with it a good quality of work that challenges me as a lawyer, and the opportunity to work with a wide variety of different people, both clients and colleagues.
What I enjoy outside work
I have a family of young boys, and so much of my "spare" time is spent being an enthusiastic and entirely unbiased supporter of junior soccer/cricket/hockey, sitting in the waiting area at A and E, organising Starwars/Superhero/Cowboy birthday parties and helping with homework/school activities/shoelaces.
I am fortunate to have a quarter acre paradise by the sea in the wild and wonderful Catlins, where we do lots of walking, fishing, swimming, and sitting on the porch watching the sea, reading and drinking endless cups of tea.
My plans to plant natives trees and establish a small orchard there would be progressing with much greater haste were it not for the sitting on the porch.
My passions aside from my children include collecting Crown Lynn, chairs, and vintage glassware, European films and Antipodean comedies, oral history, cooking, gardening, and vintage clothing. I am a Citroen lover of old - currently between-Citroens, but browsing...
What I enjoy about living in the South Island
I enjoy the good quality of life that my children and I have in the South Island. I can fit more into my life without having to endure the traffic and stresses associated with other big centres (although I do like to visit them). I like the fact that people in the firm, and most of our clients, also recognise and appreciate the benefits of living here.
