Kirsten specialises in all aspects of criminal law but has a particular expertise in unravelling criminal charges and trial work. She has undertaken over one hundred jury trials. Kirsten has practised criminal law for over twenty years. She regularly undertakes trials in the District and High Court and appears on appeals in the High Court and Court of Appeal. She frequently represents clients on bail, discharge without conviction and name suppression applications and on parole hearings. She manages a criminal caseload that includes homicides, attempted murder, serious violence, significant drug cases, allegations of sexual offending, dishonesty and all manner of criminal cases. Prior to joining the independant bar in February 2021, Kirsten was a senior lawyer at the Christchurch office of the Public Defence Service.

Kirsten prosecuted war crimes following the Rwandan genocide at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda between 2010-2012. She was a partner at Meredith Connell in Auckland, based in South Auckland. As a Crown prosecutor between 2003 to 2010, she regularly appeared in the District and High Court on complex prosecutions.

Kirsten is driven to attain the best possible results for her clients. She prides herself on taking the time to demystify the Court process to enable people within the criminal justice system to better understand their predicament and make informed choices.

Kirsten would be honoured to assist you with your current situation within the criminal justice system, no matter what the charge. She takes legal aid and private instructions.