Karlene O’Halloran
President
Karlene is an Associate and Crown Prosecutor at Meredith Connell, undertaking Crown prosecutions and acting for the Commissioner of Police in civil proceedings seeking the restraint and civil forfeiture of the proceeds of crime.
Karlene joined the AWLA committee in 2019 and has since held the positions of Treasurer and Vice President before her appointment as President in 2024. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the New Zealand Women's Law Journal — Te Aho Kawe Kaupapa Ture a ngā Wāhine.
Karlene is passionate about the advancement of women in law and society. During her time on the committee, Karlene has enjoyed the opportunity to work on issues of social justice including drafting AWLA's submissions on the Abortion Legislation Bill and the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Bill, and subsequently appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committees to deliver oral submissions. Karlene believes our profession is made stronger with a diverse background. For that reason she has worked to develop the AWLA New Law Student Scholarship directed at women for whom studying law would otherwise be a financial challenge.
Karlene wants to ensure women can excel within the profession of law and in their lives outside of it.
Erica Burke
Vice President
Erica is a specialist family lawyer with a strong commitment to advancing gender equity. She has previously been a committee member and then Secretary of AWLA for a number of years and is excited to stand for Vice President for 2025.
Throughout her career, Erica has championed the empowerment of wāhine in law and supported initiatives that uplift women and children in our community.
Erica was the Co Editor-in-Chief of Te Aho Kawe Kaupapa Ture a Ngā Wāhine |
New Zealand Women's Law Journal (2023 edition). She has been a mentor with the He Ira Wāhine University of Auckland Law Women Mentoring Program and looks forward to continuing the this role next year.
More recently, Erica was a recipient of the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation Travel and Learning Award. Erica is using this to visit select organisations across the world that provide targeted legal support and advocacy for women. This is with the goal of developing a framework for a free and inclusive legal clinic and advocacy centre in Tāmaki Makaurau for those who identify as wāhine.
Through the above projects and roles, Erica has gained valuable insights into the challenges women and children face in society, the unique position of women in the legal profession and the importance of mentorship and advocacy.
Sophie Thoreau
Secretary
Sophie specialises in Intellectual Property law at Buddle Findlay advising clients on all aspects of IP from strategy, protection, commercialisation, enforcement and everything in between.
Sophie is a longstanding member of AWLA and has a keen interest in mentoring, equality and diversity which she looks forward to continuing to explore with AWLA for the betterment of women in the legal profession.
Outside of work, Sophie enjoys spending time with her three children and puppy, being outdoors and travelling.
Jessica SUI Harborne
Treasurer
I have lived in New Zealand since 1999. I have a Double Degree in International Business and economics from China, a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from AUT, a Diploma in Business from AUT, a Diploma in Legal Executive from Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Translation and Interpretation from AUT. Further, I gained the Trust Accountant training with the Law Society in 2017 and received the certificate of Trust Accountant in New Zealand. I am a Bachelor of Laws student in AUT, and 2025 is my final year of LLB study.
I have experience in working with families and people in vulnerable circumstances. I am a competent bilingual translator and interpreter in English and Mandarin and registered with the Ministry of Justice as a Court Interpreter. My passion is being a Bilingual litigator and helping others with a language barrier succeed in disputes. My approach focuses on developing a realistic understanding of the client's needs in both English and Mandarin.
I am proudly awarded the Certificate of Interpreting in Aotearoa, New Zealand- The Public Sector Context. I was a committee member at Auckland Women Lawyers Association in 2024 and an executive member and a treasurer in 2025; a brunch committee and affiliate member of the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters Auckland Branch in 2024 & 2025. I am a Support member of NZILE and an Ordinary (full) member of the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators, a member of the New Zealand Asian Lawyers Association and the Criminal Bar Association. I am passionate about working for Women's and Children's rights and actively and initiatively involved with the local community and other organisations to support and help others.
Bianca Parshotam
Bianca obtained her Law and Arts degrees from the University of Canterbury in 2021. She went on to pursue a Master of International Relations and Diplomacy in 2022. She now practices general law at Parshotam Lawyers, working on commercial, wills and estates, litigation and employment matters. This is Bianca's first year on the AWLA committee, but she cannot wait to get involved and advocate for the growth of women in the legal field, particularly in leadership positions. She is also a member of The Law Association of New Zealand: Next Gen Committee where she helps bridge the gap between law school and starting out as a junior lawyer. Outside of the office you can find her at a Pilates studio early in the morning, walking her dog Romeo or at a restaurant taking photos of her food.
Carrie Wooller
Carrie is a solicitor with experience in civil litigation, employment and criminal law. She completed her LLB and BA at the University of Otago in 2022, where she developed a strong interest in the intersection between feminist theory, law, and politics. These interests led Carrie to join the AWLA committee as she believes AWLA creates an important space to empower and support wāhine in the legal profession. Heading into her second year on the committee, Carrie is particularly interested in contributing to AWLA's mahi in its advocacy work with a particular focus on areas such as diversity within the profession, the representation of women in senior roles and the accessibility of the justice system.
Claudia Russell
Claudia is a solicitor working in Family and Civil Litigation at Stace Hammond. Claudia completed an LLB and BA Majoring in Politics and International Relations in 2020 and started practicing as a Solicitor at a Community Law centre after briefly working at the District Court. Having worked with clients from all walks of life has given Claudia unique perspective on how people engage with and experience the law. Claudia was heavily engaged in advocacy and student journalism groups (95 BfM, Craccum Magazine, Equal Justice Project) during university, and loves the opportunities for advocacy a career in litigation provides. As 2025 is her first year on the committee, Claudia looks forward to having the opportunity to bring light to emerging legal issues and assist with educating practitioners and students about developments in the profession.
Jade Magrath
Jade is a Senior Associate at Simpson Grierson, where she specialises in resource management, local government, and public law. She is a longstanding member of the AWLA, and was the recipient of the AWLA Margaret Wilson Scholarship in 2017. The connections and support that Jade has received through the AWLA's scholarship, networking and mentoring programmes have been invaluable to her career. Jade looks forward to leveraging her professional and volunteer experiences to support and empower women in the profession, foster a welcoming and inclusive community of women lawyers, and advocate for law reform on women's issues.
Josie McNaught
It is over ten years since I first joined the committee as the law student rep for AUT, back in 2014 and I am so pleased to have another year with this fabulous group of mana wahine.
I am almost 60 and law is my second career. I was admitted in 2016 after a 20+ year career in journalism. My areas of practice are media/arts/IP and my current role/contract is senior lawyer at the Broadcasting Standards Authority. Prior to this I was in-house lawyer for Whakaata Māori – Māori Television, had my own small media law practice and worked for a media law specialist in a firm – a role I was offered upon graduating. I also teach media law at AUT Law School and have taught media law and ethics to journalism students.
I am mother to Zoe (27) and Nate (24) and partner to William.
My interests outside law revolve around the arts, music, books, our beautiful garden, friends and whānau, and of course my children (when they are in Aotearoa and not globe trotting) I ski, I am a yoga/pilates/tai chi nut, I play interclub tennis which I love, and one of my favourite activities is cooking up a storm and enjoying the pleasure of sharing my homemade kai. I also like coming up with ideas for events – and then organising them. I believe a range of ages and stages is important on the committee and I see myself as representing new members to the profession who may have law as a second career and I especially advocate for mature wahine.
Meggan Staines
Meggan is an Associate in the civil litigation team at Bell Gully. She has experience in a range of contentious litigation, and a keen interest in property, company and insolvency disputes. Her litigation experience has provided her with the skills to advocate for a variety of topics and issues. Meggan is originally from South Africa where she practiced law, before immigrating to New Zealand in 2017. As an immigrant and a lawyer having practised outside of New Zealand, Meggan brings a different perspective to conversations around legal issues, and issues affecting women in the industry. Meggan is looking forward to being a part of AWLA and putting her time and skills to good use to support and advance the interests of women in law.
Outside of law, Meggan enjoys cooking, going to the beach, pilates, listening to crime podcasts, and reading novels.
Nadine Ward
Nadine is a solicitor in the Office of the Manukau Crown Solicitor (Kayes Fletcher Walker), and author of the Youth Justice commentary in Abbott & Thompson, District Courts Practice (Criminal). After graduating from the University of Otago, Nadine went on to assist the Principal Youth Court Judge for two years in Wellington. Throughout her legal career so far, Nadine has been exposed to forward-thinking and innovative leaders, all committed to improving the experiences of participants in the criminal justice system. Through her involvement in AWLA, Nadine hopes to play a part in challenging boundaries and advancing the interests of women in the legal field.
Olivia Manaton
Olivia obtained her Law and Criminal Justice Degrees from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. She now practises criminal defence law with the Public Defence Service in the Waitakere area. Olivia is new to he AWLA joining in 2023, but she cant wait to meet all the members and grow connections.
While living in Christchurch Olivia enjoyed road tripping and exploring the South Island. Now she is back in her home town of Auckland she enjoys catching up with friends, going to the beach and travelling whenever she gets the chance.
Shania Spooner
Shania Spooner is a young lawyer at Haigh Lyon who is excited to bring a fresh perspective, passion for advocacy and a commitment to fostering positive change within the legal community to the AWLA committee in 2024. Shania completed a LLB and BA conjoint majoring in history and sociology at the University of Auckland. During her studies Shania developed a passion for advocating for women and understanding the intersectional issues that have affected women throughout history. While volunteering at Youthlaw Shania fostered her passion for advocacy and continued to look for opportunities on how to support women through the legal field. Shania believes the AWLA is an important organisation that work to uplift women and provide a safe space for women to address the ongoing struggles they face through the legal environment. Shania is enthusiastic to assist AWLA in their goal to advocate for and support women. In her free time Shania loves being near, or in, the ocean, whether it's having a beach day and picnic or out on the boat swimming and scuba diving.
Vanshika Sudhakar
Vanshika is a Crown Prosecutor at Meredith Connell, with a background in criminal defence at the Public Defence Service in Manukau. She also has experience in family law and Māori legal issues.
Raised in South Auckland, she's passionate about giving back to her community and making a difference. Supporting and empowering young women in the legal profession is especially close to her heart—she's all about creating a space where they can grow, thrive, and feel confident in their careers.
Outside of work, you'll find Vanshika spending time with her family, tackling landscaping projects at her home, or exploring dog-friendly beaches with her three-year-old Labrador.
She's excited to be part of the AWLA committee, working alongside an incredible group of wāhine to champion its kaupapa.
Wendy Alexander
This is my first year serving as a committee member for the AWLA.
I started practicing as a lawyer in 2021. I have always been passionate about law and after my three sons became older, I fulfilled my life-long dream of completing a Law Degree and becoming a lawyer. With my extensive prior experience in civil litigation in various roles (legal search clerk, secretary and then legal executive), I have advanced quickly in my career and am now a Senior Associate.
I am dedicated to supporting the growth and success of female lawyers. As a mother of three sons, I have a deep understanding of the challenges that come with balancing a fulfilling career and family life and I am passionate about helping others achieve success in a legal career and to share my knowledge on how to manage balancing a professional and personal life.
I am also a trained commercial mediator. I began my mediation training to help my clients through the unpleasant experience of managing litigation. I completed Negotiation and Mediation training at Harvard Law School and the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ), which led to my Associate Membership with AMINZ and my practice as a commercial mediator.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going for walks, Pilates and a good cup of tea.
Phoebe Jennings
Student Representative - University of Auckland
Phoebe is in her third year of a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) degree. She is looking forward to representing the female student body of the University of Auckland on the AWLA committee. In particular, Phoebe is interested in facilitating a greater engagement of female students in the legal field, ensuring they are aware of the opportunities around them. She hopes to encourage them to participate in opportunities they may not otherwise have explored. Phoebe is currently on the University of Auckland Mooting Society's executive committee and hopes to provide more chances for female students to develop their advocacy skills. She has also served on the University of Auckland Debating Society's executive and regularly competes in debating tournaments on a national and international scale. Outside of university, Phoebe enjoys coaching young debaters and reading.