Our People

Jeremy Sutton, Barrister

Jeremy is a family law specialist. He graduated with a Law Degree from Auckland University and a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University. He has had 21 years’ experience as a senior barrister in NZ and overseas. Jeremy began his career in general litigation including family law. He then worked with corporate clients in a variety of areas, including large commercial contracts. Jeremy returned to New Zealand in 2003 specialising in relationship property and family law.

He set up Jeremy Sutton in 2005 and since then has grown a talented team of lawyers and support staff who have expertise in a variety of fields. Jeremy manages all the cases at Jeremy Sutton. He has a practical approach and tries to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients as quickly and economically as possible.

Jeremy is an experienced family litigator, and has a wealth of experience representing clients at mediations, in the Family, District and High Courts, and at the Court of Appeal. He has the expertise to achieve successful outcomes for his clients in difficult and complex cases.

He is a passionate advocate for the wellbeing of children and young people and was privileged to be appointed as a Youth Advocate in 2006 and a Lawyer for Child in 2009, which is a lawyer appointed by the Court to act for children and young people in difficult cases.

Jeremy has had media appearances on the TVNZ Breakfast Programme, Radio NZ, Canvas magazine and a variety of other publications. When he’s not in the office he enjoys running, tennis, soccer and spending time with his wife and young family.

Anna Ting, Barrister

Anna began her career at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts in 2007 specialising in Intellectual Property in the Corporate team, before she joined Jeremy Sutton in October 2008.

Anna has conducted Tribunal Appeals and civil claims against Government Departments such as the NZ Police, Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Justice.

Anna now also focuses on Family Court work, including conducting matters in family law, relationship property, child youth and family. She specialises in family violence cases. Anna also deals with parole, recall hearings and criminal law where it overlaps with family work. She is a respected advocate with significant Court experience.

Anna has a particular interest in the arts, and was previously a member of Urban Youth Movement, which is connected to New Zealand’s internationally renowned dance company, Black Grace.

Christina Lee, Barrister

We were recently fortunate to welcome Christina to the practice. Christina is a respected and passionate lawyer and has been practising law for over 7 years. She has worked for Swayne McDonald, Turner Hopkins and Barbara Vague Law, and brings with her a wealth of experience in family law and civil law.

Christina will be focussing on private clients with an emphasis on family law and relationship property.

She is fluent in Korean and is an active member of the Korean community.

Emma Lamont-Messer, Barrister

Emma was admitted to the Bar in 2002 and worked for the Wanganui Crown Solicitor before joining Crown Law in 2004. In these roles she was involved in prosecuting serious crimes on behalf of the Crown.

Since joining our team in 2009, Emma has used this valuable experience to benefit our clients when representing them in their claims against the Crown. She also specialises in relationship property, family law and project work for immigration appeals. Emma enjoys handling some of our most complex cases and has had success in two high court cases.

Outside of work, Emma has two children who keep her busy.

Petrina Siliva, Barrister

Petrina graduated from Auckland University with a Law Degree and a Bachelor of Arts. She began her career at Russell McVeagh in 2008, where she gained expertise in commercial and employment law.

Petrina now specialises in family law, including relationship property, parenting and child support disputes.

Sarah Fitchett, Barrister

Sarah began her career at Russell McVeagh where she worked in the corporate team. She then moved to Stevens Orchard Lawyers in Nelson, where she gained experience in relationship property and family law, including parenting disputes, domestic violence and CYF proceedings.

Sarah currently focuses on family law, mainly relationship property and parenting. She also has expertise and interests in other litigation.

Anesha Dullabh, Barrister

Anesha has degrees in Law, and in Commerce and Administration. She joined us from Chapman Tripp in Wellington where she specialised in corporate
and commercial cases.

Anesha now specialises in relationship property and family law, with an emphasis on parenting and custody cases. She enjoys resolving disputes through mediation and has successfully represented clients in some complex relationship property disputes.

Jessica Blake, PA / Legal Executive

Jessica is a registered Legal Executive. She began her law career in 2002, and gained experience in small & medium sized Auckland City law firms before joining Jeremy Sutton in 2010.

Jessica brought with her a wealth of experience and supports our team of lawyers in a variety of different cases.

Cheryl Inder, Office Manager

Cheryl is our Office Manager, and ensures the office runs smoothly for both staff and clients. Please contact Cheryl if you have any queries about accounts or office administration.

Cheryl is very keen on fitness. She leads the health and exercise regime in the office and organises the Auckland marathon event for the team. Cheryl has two teenage children.

Raj Rao, Staff Barrister

Rajiv is a graduate of Auckland University with degrees in Law and Arts (Political Studies). Since starting with Jeremy Sutton, he has worked primarily in the field of family law, and also has a keen interest in refugee and immigration law.

In his spare time, Raj can usually be found outside looking through his telescope or tinkering with the latest gadgets.