I am one of New Zealand’s most experienced Collaborative lawyers, and I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to my work. As a child of divorced parents, a step-child, a step-mother, and a mother, I understand firsthand the importance—as well as the challenges—of achieving a respectful separation and building a workable, positive co-parenting relationship. This personal background fuels my commitment to helping families move through difficult transitions without needing the Family Court to step in.
With nearly 30 years of experience in family law, my practice now centres on:
-
Supporting families to resolve their legal issues with dignity and respect as they navigate a new chapter in their lives
-
Advising and assisting with the legal aspects of forming families through adoption, surrogacy, and assisted reproduction
I also have a long-standing role in advancing Collaborative Practice. I regularly train lawyers and other professionals, and I am a past Chair of Collaborative Resolution NZ. Since 2020, I’ve served on the Board of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), and in 2024–25 I had the honour of serving as IACP’s President.
My work has been recognised in Doyles 2024 and 2025 Guides as one of the country’s leading relationship property and family lawyers. In 2024, NZ Lawyer named me one of New Zealand’s most influential lawyers in the “Changemaker” category for my contributions to Collaborative Practice.
Above all, I approach my work with clients with the aim of dialling down the stress, drama, and uncertainty they may come to me feeling, and dialling up calmness, clarity, and confidence about the steps ahead.
