A well-known voice in New Zealand’s family law space and regular guest on RadioLive, Jeremy Sutton takes five minutes to chat with NZLawyer about football, Sir Ed Hillary and a job vacancy.
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
I find it interesting that there are many different ways to look at a situation and that things are never black and white.
When did you start your firm?
I started as a Barrister and employing other lawyers to work for me around 2005.
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
There are two. The first being a successful application for Habeas Corpus against the Department of Corrections and the second, taking civil action under s.9 Bill of Rights Act against the Police for a dog bite on an innocent victim which went all the way to the Supreme Court.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
1. Sir Ed Hillary to tell amazing adventure stories
2. David Lange for witty conversation
3. Rafa Nadal for a few tennis tips
Where’s the best place to go for a drink and/or dinner after work in Auckland?
Gypsy T-Rooms in Grey Lynn. It’s casual and relaxing (and I met my wife there).
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given (work or personal)?
If you think you might have a conflict of interest you probably do.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
I manage my young son's football team and enjoy running.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
A teacher.
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the legal space in New Zealand in 2015?
Access to justice and to decent legal advice for the marginalised and delays in the Family Court system.
If you had John Key’s job for one day, what would you do?
I would re-focus all of my energy and resources on addressing the unacceptable levels of inequality in this country.
What do you love about your job?
That sometimes you get to make a difference for people in difficult situations and working with a variety of people.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
The job vacancy I have for a Senior Family Lawyer would be filled by the right person.
