Sumudu Thode, Thode Utting John Miller Sonja Cooper Peter Johnston, Rainey Collins
The stayers in the legal aid stakes are taken from figures 12 years ago where we compared the ‘veteran’ earners, headed by all-star legal aid lawyer Sonja Cooper, who received $1.5 million in the 2006/07 year and $1.7 million in the last year reported.
Ironically perhaps, Sonja Cooper’s firm makes its principal income from suing the Government funding them, handling psychiatric claims against the government on behalf of those abused under the previous mental health system.
[adrotate banner=”91″]
Three other Wellington recipients who featured 10 years ago include Rainey Collins, Thomas Dewar and John Miller Law.
The major legal aid earners from 2010 and today (being as at the last reported ‘earnings season’ are below.
The 2010 Top 10 . . And Today
2010 | 2018/19 |
Charl Hirschfeld* – 2.8m | n/a |
Rainey Collins – 2.4m | 565,000 |
Tamaki Legal – 1.8m | 1.955m |
Kensington Swan – 1.4m | 138,000 |
Sonja Cooper – 1.2m | 1.7m |
Rangitauira & Co** – 1.08m | n/a |
Thomas Dewar – 880,000 | 930,000 |
Te Nahu Lovell – 900,000 | 390,000 |
Shane Tait – 807,000 | 433,000 |
John Miller Law – 806,000 | 972,000 |
*Charl Hirschfeld faced disciplinary proceedings in 2013 regarding his legal aid work, quitting handling the work, principally for Treaty of Waitangi claims, in 2011. He was paid around $8 million from legal aid work over a four year period. (NBR).
** John Rangitauira was jailed for fraud after being duped in an email scam involving an alleged inheritance of $27 million.
The Million Dollar Law Firms
>> See The Multi-Million Dollar Legal Aid Lady

[adrotate banner=”90″]

Latest on LawFuel
- Fintech Lawyers From A&O Shearman Join Baker McKenzie in DCBaker McKenzie announced the recruitment of the two fintech and regulatory lawyers this week. The… Read more: Fintech Lawyers From A&O Shearman Join Baker McKenzie in DC
- Navigating Texas DWI Laws in 2025: What Every Driver Should KnowImage source: Shutterstock Ah, Texas. Land of wide-open spaces, big steaks, and, unfortunately, some pretty… Read more: Navigating Texas DWI Laws in 2025: What Every Driver Should Know
- How To Negotiate a Personal Injury Settlement for Maximum PayoutBeing injured in an accident can derail your life in an instant. Between mounting medical… Read more: How To Negotiate a Personal Injury Settlement for Maximum Payout
- Jeh Johnson Legal Heavyweight Leaves Paul WeissJeh Johnson, the former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and longtime Paul, Weiss partner, is… Read more: Jeh Johnson Legal Heavyweight Leaves Paul Weiss
- The Self-Email Scandal and The Curious Case of the Self-Addressed SolicitorIn the annals of legal misadventure, Australian lawyer Brad Haden Frost has carved out a… Read more: The Self-Email Scandal and The Curious Case of the Self-Addressed Solicitor
- Sex Addicted Lawyer Avoids Striking Off After Stealing $10,000Brisbane lawyer Ericson Tang pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and forgery resulting from an… Read more: Sex Addicted Lawyer Avoids Striking Off After Stealing $10,000
- How to Know If You Have a Valid Truck Accident ClaimFort Lauderdale is located on the southeastern coast of Florida. It is known for its… Read more: How to Know If You Have a Valid Truck Accident Claim