Junior Barristers

Emerging advocates developing expertise under senior counsel guidance across serious criminal litigation. Availability for independent instruction varies by practitioner. Contact chambers to enquire about instructing a specific junior barrister.

  • Wiremu Rhodes

    Barrister employed

    wiremu@mataichambers.com
    +64 27 272 3052

    Wiremu works with Quentin Duff, assisting with his criminal practice in the District Court and High Court. He holds legal aid approval at PAL 3 level, appearing on serious matters carrying up to 20 years' imprisonment. Wiremu graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Laws and was admitted in 2021. He is a strong advocate and leader within chambers, with extensive trial experience across serious criminal matters. Wiremu is establishing his independent practice and will soon transition to operating as a barrister sole.

    Instructions: available for private instructions and legal aid PAL 3.

  • A woman with long dark hair wearing a black blazer and white blouse standing in front of a bookshelf filled with old books.

    Mikaela Ryan

    Barrister employed

    mikaela@mataichambers.com
    +64 21 024 37103

    Mikaela works with Quentin Duff, assisting with his criminal practice in the District Court and High Court. She holds legal aid approval at PAL 2 level, appearing on matters carrying up to 10 years' imprisonment. Mikaela graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2021 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) and was admitted in 2021. She is a strong advocate with a client-centred focus, combining courtroom excellence with genuine care for clients and their families. Mikaela ensures accessible communication and support throughout the criminal justice process, making complex legal matters understandable for those navigating the system. With substantial trial experience since admission, Mikaela is establishing her independent practice and developing her reputation as a dedicated criminal defence advocate.

    Instructions: available for private instructions and legal aid PAL 2.

  • A man in a suit smiling in front of a bookshelf filled with old law books.

    Levi Jackson

    Barrister employed

    levi@mataichambers.com
    +64 27 553 7817

    Levi works with Mark Ryan, assisting with his criminal and employment practice in the District Court, High Court, and appellate courts. He holds legal aid approval at PAL 1 level. Levi graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) and was admitted in November 2022. His prior experience as a fraud investigator brings strong analytical and investigative skills to criminal defence work.

    Instructions: available for private instructions and legal aid PAL 1.

  • Jamie Dierick

    Barrister employed

    jamie@scottmccolgan.com
    +64 21 989 227

    Jamie works with Scott McColgan, assisting with his criminal practice in the District Court and High Court. He holds legal aid approval at PAL 1 level. Jamie graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in mid-2023 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts and was admitted in 2024. His commitment to social justice led him to volunteer as a welfare advocate at Wellington District Court and with Community Law Wellington during his studies.

    Instructions: available for private instructions and legal aid PAL 1.

  • A man in a black suit, white shirt, and red tie standing in front of a bookshelf filled with old books.

    Guneesh Jubal

    Barrister employed

    guneesh@mataichambers.com
    +64 22 692 1190

    Guneesh works with Quentin Duff, assisting with his criminal practice in the District Court and High Court. He holds legal aid approval at PAL 1 level. Guneesh graduated from the University of Auckland in 2023 with a Bachelor of Laws and was admitted in 2024. He is a strong advocate who recently secured a jury trial acquittal in the District Court on charges of sexual violation.

    Instructions: available for private instructions and legal aid PAL 1.

  • A young man in a suit and light blue tie standing in front of a bookshelf filled with old, leather-bound books.

    Fred Choi

    Barrister employed

    fred@mataichambers.com
    +64 27 628 2417

    Fred works with Gowan Duff, assisting with his criminal practice in the District Court and High Court. He holds legal aid approval at PAL 1 level. Fred graduated from the University of Auckland in 2024 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Criminology) and was admitted in 2024. As a fluent Korean speaker, he provides direct representation to Korean-speaking clients without interpretation barriers. Fred is known for thorough preparation and achieving favorable outcomes including home detention, discharge without conviction, and successful bail applications.

    Instructions: available for private instructions and legal aid PAL 1.

  • Honor Darby

    Barrister employed

    honor@scottmccolgan.com
    +64 22 188 9648

    Honor works with Scott McColgan, assisting with his criminal practice in the District Court and High Court. She is currently a supervised provider. Honor graduated from the University of Waikato in 2023 with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and was admitted in 2024. Her honours dissertation examined whether Vladimir Putin could be prosecuted for war crimes arising from the conflict in Ukraine, analyzing international criminal law frameworks. Honor is known for her client-centred approach and dedication to building strong relationships with clients and their families throughout the criminal justice process. Recent successes include assisting on a High Court murder trial that resulted in full acquittals.

  • A concrete pillar with graffiti of a smiling stick figure girl flashing a peace sign, illuminated by blue and orange lighting, situated on a brick sidewalk. In the background, there are signs with German text and a metal grille on the wall.

    Lily Sawyer

    Barrister employed

    lily@mataichambers.com
    +64 27 379 6695

    Lily works with Mark Ryan, assisting with his criminal and employment practice in the District Court and High Court. She is currently a supervised provider. Lily graduated from the University of Canterbury in 2024 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts and was admitted in 2024. She is a passionate and dedicated advocate known for building exceptional rapport with clients. Lily's genuine warmth and commitment to understanding each client's unique circumstances ensures they feel truly heard and supported. Her diligent approach and enthusiasm for developing her advocacy skills make her a valued member of the chambers team.

  • Graffiti of a smiling girl with pigtails waving, drawn on a concrete bollard in front of illuminated signs at night.

    Leo Grimshaw

    Barrister employed

    leo@mataichambers.com
    +64 27 227 4065

    Leo works with Quentin Duff, assisting with his criminal practice in the District Court and High Court. He is currently a supervised provider. Leo graduated from the University of Auckland in 2025 with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Politics) and was admitted in 2025. His honours dissertation examined self-defence in an international law context. Leo is a determined advocate known for strong legal research and focus, recently securing a successful sentence appeal in the High Court resulting in his client's immediate release from custody.

  • Kushali Tuinder

    Barrister employed

    kushali@scottmccolgan.com
    +64 27 420 2791

    Kushali works with Scott McColgan, assisting with his criminal practice in the District Court and High Court. She is currently a supervised provider. Kushali graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2023 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Sociology, Criminology, and Social Policy), having also completed an exchange year studying European Law at Maastricht University in The Netherlands. She was admitted in 2025. Kushali brings fresh perspective, international legal experience, and diligent attention to detail to criminal defence, currently building her expertise across serious criminal matters.