I work as a lawyer and mediator, and I gain great satisfaction from helping people.
I enjoy the intellectual challenge of research, preparing cases and writing legal submissions.
My job satisfaction comes from knowing I have really made a positive difference for my clients.
“Mpatapo” is the symbol I have chosen as part of my logo. It is a West African symbol referred to as the knot of reconciliation and represents peacemaking after discord.
My first job out of law school was working as a Judge’s Clerk in the High Court in Wellington. This job involved research and providing written opinions to the High Court Judges on all aspects of the law.
I have been practising law in the Hawkes Bay since I moved to Napier in 1993 and commenced work in a firm undertaking family and other general litigation work.
I moved to the bar to practise as a barrister sole in 2001 and have enjoyed the independence and autonomy this has provided. While still working full-time, I undertook study towards an LLM (Masters in Law) at Victoria University of Wellington/Te Herenga Waka being awarded this post-graduate degree with Distinction in 2017.
I balance my working life with catching up with my family, including our three children who have now left home, enjoying the company of family and friends, singing as a soloist in concerts, oratorios and opera, and constantly learning something new (Te Reo and cryptic crosswords are my current challenges).
Prior to specialising in family law work, I previously practised in the following areas:
- District Court criminal work including Duty Solicitor work and defended hearings
- Police Detention Legal Aid Assistance Scheme
- Civil litigation
- Coroner’s Court
- Mental Health
- Employment law
- Maori Land Court
- ACC
- Limited Licence applications
- Health Practitioner disciplinary inquiries