My approach

Kōtare Legal provides specialised legal support to agencies navigating emergencies; before, during, and after. My practice is built around being available when it matters most: during periods of uncertainty, pressure, and intense scrutiny.

I work on a surge and recover model, stepping in to provide immediate, short-term legal capacity during crises and critical transition periods. This allows agencies to access experienced in-house legal support without long-term commitment, and ensures a smooth handover back to internal teams once the pressure eases.

The goal is simple: to help organisations get through challenging times with confidence, clarity, and integrity.

My work

Much of my work involves supporting agencies through the reviews, inquiries, and investigations that follow emergencies. This includes public inquiries, independent reviews, regulatory investigations, and coronial inquests. I bring the perspective of having worked from inside affected agencies, supporting both organisations and staff through complex and often highly scrutinised processes.

I also provide urgent operational legal advice during active response and recovery phases, including deployment to emergency coordination centres. This work supports real-time decision-making and helps ensure that emergency responses are legally sound, fair, and accountable.