Katie is a leading criminal trial lawyer with particular expertise in the Criminal Proceeds regime.
Katie was appointed King’s Counsel in 2025.
Katie has more than 20 years’ trial experience. Her seniority is recognised by national legal bodies regularly asking her to present on matters of statute, evidence, procedure and advocacy. She is faculty on the NZLS Litigation Skills Programme as well as appointed to serve on a number of government prosecution panels, including the Commerce Commission, Serious Fraud Office and WorkSafe.
Litigation experience
Criminal
Katie has conducted trials involving charges of murder, manslaughter, sexual violation, class A drug dealing, money laundering, fraud and other complex financial crimes, organised criminal groups and all manner of less serious charges. Relatedly, she conducts appeals, name suppression applications, bail applications, sentencings and applications for discharges without conviction.
Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act
Criminal Proceeds is an area of particular expertise for Katie. She has conducted countless asset and profit forfeiture applications, including opposed trials, appellate work and negotiating significant settlements. Katie is extremely well versed on the Criminal Proceeds regime and live issues under it. Since joining the bar Katie has been regularly engaged to consult and train in this area.
Regulatory
Katie conducts and advises on regulatory prosecutions, including under the Health and Safety at Work Act, Customs and Excise Act and Fisheries legislation. Katie conducts pecuniary penalty proceedings, including under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 and Commerce Act 1986.
Other
In addition to the specialised civil litigation referred to above, Katie also advises and represents clients in extradition proceedings, work/study-related investigations, tortious claims and judicial reviews.
About
Katie has a BA/LLB(Hons) from Otago University. She began her career working in the litigation team at one of New Zealand’s leading commercial law firms, before moving to criminal law. After more than a decade as a senior criminal prosecutor at Meredith Connell and Kayes Fletcher Walker, and a short stint acting as legal consultant to the Samoan Attorney-General, in 2018 Katie joined the Independent Bar and became a member of City Chambers. Katie was appointed King’s Counsel in 2025.
Katie is focused, efficient and prides herself on clear communication. She is quick to distil difficult legal concepts and arguments. She forms comfortable professional connections with clients from all walks of life.
Katie is an approved criminal legal aid lawyer (all levels) and civil legal aid lawyer.
Katie is a member of the Criminal Bar Association, New Zealand Bar Association, South Auckland Bar Association and Auckland Women Lawyers’ Association. She serves on the NZ Bar Association Criminal Committee.