Fiona Cleary

Fiona is an experienced jury trial advocate and criminal law specialist. She regularly appears in the Youth Court, District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, and Parole Board on cases. Fiona began her legal career at Russell McVeagh in Wellington as a civil litigator. She then spent a number of years at the Crown Solicitor’s Office in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne and at the Crown Law Office. In 2020 Fiona became a Principal at the Office of the Crown Solicitor in Wellington before joining the independent Bar in 2023. Although based in Wellington, Fiona practises throughout New Zealand.

Samantha Allen

Samantha is a care and protection barrister based in Nelson. Samantha specialises in family legal aid work and can take direct instructions for legal aid family matters. Samantha began her legal career as a family legal aid provider, and she has since had roles at Oranga Tamariki and as a Police Prosecutor. Before joining the independent Bar in 2023, Samantha was Acting District Prosecution Manager for Tasman Police Prosecution Service and was a Finalist in the ILANZ Young In-House Lawyer of the Year Award in 2022. Samantha is a Council Member of the Nelson Branch of the New Zealand Law Society.