Julia is a skilled and dedicated court advocate known for providing clear, accessible legal advice. She specialises in defending serious criminal matters, including drug charges, violence, sexual assault, and homicide. Her experience extends to parole hearings, inquests, and appeals. Julia accepts private instructions and is an approved legal aid provider for PAL 4 and Court of Appeal/Supreme Court matters. Julia is also a Youth Advocate at the Porirua Youth Court.
From 2019 to 2023, Julia was appointed as Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care. She appeared in six public hearings, including as lead counsel in the Māori public hearing. She is currently representing Lake Alice survivors who are seeking redress through the torture redress scheme.
Julia is committed to social justice and criminal justice reform. She is a founder and former Chair of JustSpeak, co-convenor of the Criminal Law Committee of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (the Māori Law Society), and a member of the Executive Committee of Te Matakahi – Defence Lawyers Association of New Zealand. She is also co-chair of the Board of Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley.
He rōia kōrero Māori a Julia. Ki te hiahiatia tētahi rōia e ngākau hihiri ana ki te reo me ngā tikanga, whakapā mai.
Julia is a speaker of te reo Māori and welcomes any opportunity to work with clients who are learning or speak Māori.