Counsel · Junior barrister
Sherry Zhang
A journalist's ear, and a calm, careful approach.
In brief
Sherry works with Gowan Duff on his criminal practice in the District Court and High Court. She graduated from the University of Auckland in 2023 with a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in Communications, and was admitted in May 2026.
Before law she built a career in journalism and editorial leadership, including senior editorial roles at NZEI Te Riu Roa and The Pantograph Punch and an internship with Bloomberg News. She wrote a North & South feature on the defence of insanity with Professor Warren Brookbanks.
Since 2024 she has co-managed Te Kāhui Creative Writing, running creative writing programmes in Corrections facilities including Mount Eden Correctional Facility, Auckland Region Women's Correctional Facility, and Christchurch Women's Prison. That work cemented her decision to move into criminal defence.
Time at the bar
- Languages
- English and Mandarin
- Education
- LLB, BA (Communications), University of Auckland, 2023
- Admitted
- May 2026
- Instructing
- Privately, through solicitors or directly
- Legal aid
- Supervised provider
- Works with
- Gowan Duff
