LawFuel’s Power List 2024 welcomes three influential criminal lawyers who are making waves in New Zealand’s legal landscape: Emma Priest, Anoushka Bloem, and Julie-Anne Kincade KC.
The appearance of women lawyers excelling in criminal law has continued to become more significant in recent years not only as a result of the growing number of female law graduates (over 54 percent of all lawyers being women in the most recent figures) in New Zealand but because many women lawyers have found the ability to play a key role in criminal law as both advocates and also being actively involved in legal education and justice reform issues.
Julie-Anne Kincade KC, appointed King’s Counsel in 2019, has vast experience in criminal law and been involved in numerous profile trials, as well as being recognized as one of the pre-eminent criminal lawyers on the New Zealand scene.
A barrister at the Inns of Court in London for 13 years before moving to New Zealand and joining Meredith Connell. She worked on the Mark Lundy defence following her resignation from Meredith Connell with Davis Hislop KC and subsequently helped co-found Augusta Chambers with Emma Priest and Sue Gray, set up along English Chambers lines.
She is also Vice-President of the Law Association (ADLS) and the convenor of the Criminal Law Committee.
Emma Priest (left) is another criminal law specialist with over two decades of experience. Her unique background in psychology and law and a commitment to penal reform and prisoners’ rights has seen her emerge as a key figure providing important voice on key criminal law issues.
She co-founded “The Good Lawyer,” a non-profit initiative providing resources to prisoners and has continued to mentor and work on serious criminal law cases.
Anoushka Bloem, founder of criminal law firm Bloem Law, (right) has carved out a reputation as a trailblazer in criminal defence building a significant criminal law practice and acting on major criminal law issues, as well as actively mentoring and training lawyers, speaking at legal events and providing guidance to law students.
These three lawyers are not only excelling in their courtroom advocacy but are also actively shaping the future of criminal law in New Zealand, demonstrating a commitment not only to their defense clients, but also to justice reform and mentorship.
The 2024 LawFuel Power List –
Curious if anyone else agrees, but don’t you think there are way too many corporate lawyers on this Power List from LawFuel Editors? Where’s the representation for civil rights attorneys or those fighting the good fight in environmental law?
Impressed with the number of tech-savvy lawyers making the List this year. It’s a clear sign the legal industry is finally catching up with technology. Kudos to the LawFuel Editors for highlighting this shift.
Every year it’s the same old story, the big names on Wall Street and in Silicon Valley hog all the spots. When will LawFuel Editors start recognizing the unsung heroes in less glamorous roles?
Saw the list. Pretty cool, I guess. I don’t know much about law but seems like these folks are a big deal. Anyone care to explain why these rankings matter?
Hey rando_reader, these rankings matter because they showcase the lawyers who are making the biggest impact in the field. It’s a big honor and can significantly affect their careers.
But do you think it really changes anything for the average person? Or is it just prestige among lawyers?
Super excited to see young lawyers making it onto the Power List! Does anyone know how LawFuel Editors choose who gets on the list? Hoping to make it there one day