Laura Barry

Tumuaki | Partner

I have experience in all areas of family practice, including Care of Children, Family Violence and Relationship Property. I am on the Lawyer for Child panel and receive regular appointments to act for children in Family Court proceedings. I am also often appointed as Counsel to Assist by the Family Court where self-represented litigants may need the assistance of an experienced lawyer, or if the Court requires a lawyer to undertake specific tasks such as making applications and gathering information. I have appeared in the District Court, Family Courts around the country, and have also undertaken some appellate work in the High Court.

I enjoy the variety of work and the challenges that come with practicing in family law, and I work hard to achieve the best outcome for my clients. I am passionate about helping people with their family issues, and I believe that everyone is entitled to a good lawyer, regardless of their income or social status.

I am the co-regional Hutt Valley Representative for the Family Law Section (alongside Frances Lints from Reids Family Law) and through this role I organise functions and professional development workshops for my fellow family lawyers in the Hutt Valley.

Outside of the office, together with Emily Bruce (Partner, Reids Family Law) I won the New Zealand Law Foundation National Young Lawyers Mooting Competition in 2018, which was a fantastic experience.

I graduated from my Bachelor of Laws in Queensland, Australia, and moved to Wellington, New Zealand in February 2017.  Post-graduation I lived in Tokyo, Japan for eighteen months teaching English to children and adults. I have been regularly volunteering at the Community Law Centre in Lower Hutt for 6 years and I am actively involved in the Lower Hutt community through my husband’s work. 

I love to read, and enjoy cycling and being active with my husband. Our family consists of two Norwegian forest cats, two rough collies, sheep, alpacas and chickens.

email: laura@tiakifamilylaw.co.nz