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Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. The order in which they appear has no significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not able to offer legal advice to U.S. citizens abroad. The Department of State provides information regarding Retaining a Foreign Attorney.
The U.S. Consulate General in Auckland services a district that includes New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Samoa and some other small Pacific Islands.
There are marked differences between the legal systems of New Zealand and the United States, for example, in New Zealand a law practice functions similarly to a medical practice: one must first consult a barrister/solicitor (a lawyer who practices with a firm) before seeking the advice of a specialist or sole barrister, who practices on his/her own. If you cannot afford an attorney, Legal Aid may be able to assist you.
The New Zealand Law Society, to which all New Zealand lawyers belong, is similar to bar associations in the United States.
The most notable difference in civil law between the two countries is New Zealand’s Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Scheme (ACC). This New Zealand government body provides 24 hour, no fault cover to all citizens and visitors in case of injury caused by accident, criminal attack, medical malpractice, etc.
One cannot sue for damages against another person for offences and accidents covered by ACC. Civil suits are filed mainly for miscellaneous property damage from a car accident, vandalism, etc. Their cases are known legally as torts.
Please note that ACC protection applies only in New Zealand, and does not cover Samoa and the Cook Islands. In these countries, one must sue or use one’s own insurance for coverage.
U.S. diplomatic missions and Consulates are unable to act as representatives in judicial matters or to assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the attorneys named.
This list of lawyers provides a sample of respected legal professionals working in New Zealand. Some were recommended by the Department of Law at the University of Auckland, others have been recommended by Americans who used their services.
However, please note, the inclusion of a company, individual, or service in this list does not denote a U.S. Government endorsement. Details are provided for information only
The New Zealand Law Society can provide further recommendations.
Attorneys List as of September 2022 (alphabetical order)
Timothy P. Arnold
*Tim Arnold P.C
Ingram House, Main Road
P.O. Box 486, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Ph +682 23 569
Fax +682 23 568
Email: goloco@steamshed.co.ck
Specialties: Most aspects of law.
Represent any U.S. law firms or companies: Yes
Hasan Taufiq Choudhury
*Amerinz US & NZ Immigration Law Ltd.
P.O Box 58470
Botany, Auckland 2163
Ph: + 64 22 088 7920
Email: taufiq@amerinzlegal.co.nz
Web: www.amerinzlegal.co.nz
Specialties: Immigration.
Other language: Russian
Marie Dyhrberg QC
94 Franklin Road
Freemans Bay, Auckland
Ph +64 9 360 4550
Email: maried@mariedyhrberg.co.nz
Website: http://mariedyhrberg.co.nz
Specialties: Criminal Law, Narcotics, Transportation Law.
Ada Echetebu
*Norris Echetebu Law
7/114 St. Georges Bay Road.
Parnell, Auckland 1052
Ph: +64 9 889 2602
Email: admin@nz-uslegal.co.nz
Website: http://nz_uslegal.co.nz/
Specialties: Banking/Financial, Commercial/Business Law, Marketing Agreements, Patents/Trademarks/Copyrights, Civil Law, Contracts, Corporations, Immigration, Maritime.
Represent any U.S. law firms or companies: Yes.
Other language: Limited French, Spanish, German and Russian.
Samuel W. Hood
*Norris Ward McKinnon Lawyer
Ph: +64 7 834 6000
Email: sam.hood@nwm.co.nz
Website: www.nwm.co.nz
Specialties: Most aspects of law.
Represent any U.S. law firms or companies: Yes
Other language: Japanese, Mandarin and Samoan
Mark Manhire
*Manhire and Associates
Level 4, Auckland District Law Society
2 Chancery Street
Auckland CBD
Ph +64 9 360 7535
Email: mark.manhire@manhireassociates.co.nz
Website: www.immigrationlawyer.co.nz
Specialties: Criminal Law, New Zealand Immigration Law, New Zealand Notary Public.
Philip Mitchell
*P H Mitchell Barrister & Solicitor
Level 5, 24 Johnston Street
Wellington CBD
Email: phil@philmitchell.co.nz
Website: www.philmitchell.co.nz
Specialties: Criminal Law, Auto/Accidents, Employment Law.
Other language: French
Brian S. Palliser QSM
*Hill Lee and Scott
Level 1, 36 Sir William Pickering Drive
Burnside, Christchurch
Ph +64 3 379 7780
Email: bpalliser@hlslegal.co.nz
Website: www.hlslegal.co.nz
Specialties: Family Law, Marriage/Divorce, Commercial/Business Law, Marketing Agreements, Patents/Trademarks/Copyrights, Collections, Contracts, Corporations, Estates, Taxes.
Christopher Rickit
*Rickit Law
36 Braithwaite Street
Karori, Wellington
Ph +64 21 322 252
Email: chris@rickitlaw.co.nz
Website: www.rickitlaw.co.nz
Specialties: Commercial/Business Law, Civil Law, Contracts, Corporations, Estates, Notary Public.
Michael J. Robinson
*Turner Hopkins, Barristers, Solicitors and Notary Public
400 Lake Road
Takapuna, Auckland
Ph +64 21 281 8201
Email: michael.robinson@turnerhopkins.co.nz
Website: www.turnerhopkins.co.nz
Specialties: Family Law, Adoptions, Child Custody, Parental Child Abduction, Marriage/Divorce, Commercial/Business Law, Foreign Investments, Marketing Agreements, Civil Law, Damages, Collections, Contracts, Foreign Claims, Estates, Immigration, Auto/Accidents.
Other services: a certified translator, court reporter/stenographer
Represent any U.S. law firms or companies: Yes
Peter Henry Sygrove
*Todd & Walker Law Limited
Level 2, Craigs Investment Partners House 5 Mile Centre,
36 Grant Road,
Frankton, Queenstown 9371
Ph: +64 3 441 2743
Fax: +64 3 441 2976
Email: peter@toddandwalker.com
Website: http://www.toddandwalker.com/
Specialties: Banking/Financial, Commercial/Business Law, Foreign Investments, Marketing Agreements, Patents/Trademarks/Copyrights, Contracts, Corporations.
Mark Williams
*Lane Neave
*Offices in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown
Ph +64 21 222 2363
Email: mark.williams@laneneave.co.nz
Website: www.laneneave.co.nz
Specialties: Insurance, Banking/Financial, Commercial/Business Law, Foreign Investments, Marketing Agreements, Patents/Trademarks/Copyrights, Damages, Civil Law, Contracts, Transportation Law, Corporations, Aeronautical/Maritime, Estates, Government Relations, Labor Relations, Immigration.
Other services: Translation.
Represent any U.S. law firms or companies: Yes
Graeme Morris Todd
*Todd & Walker Law Limited
Level 2, Craigs Investment Partners House 5 Mile Centre,
36 Grant Road,
Frankton, Queenstown 9371
Ph: +64 3 441 2743
Fax: +64 3 441 2976
Email: graeme@toddandwalker.com
Website: http://www.toddandwalker.com/
Specialties: Banking/Financial, Commercial/Business Law, Foreign Investments, Marketing Agreements, Contracts, Transportation Law, Corporations, Estates, Government Relations, Resource Management, Tourism Infrastructure, Notary Public.
David Gray Young
*David Young Barrister
Level 4, Chancery Chambers
2 Chancery Street
Auckland CBD
Ph +64 9 377 6607
Fax +64 377 6608
Email: dgyoung@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.defencelawyer.co.nz
Specialties: Criminal law, Transportation Law, Labor Relations, Auto/Accidents, Mental Health.
Other language: Limited Spanish and Mandarin
Please call: (64) (9) 303 2724
Outside of Office Hours, contact: (64) (4) 462 6000
Outside of New Zealand: (011) (64) (4) 462 6000
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