Our Kaimahi
"To be fully successful in the law, one does not have to be brilliant or exceptionally gifted. The most effective work in the world is done by ordinary people who put forth extraordinary effort. This is true of lawyers. Our strengths are magnified with experience and inspiration."
-President James E. Faust (J. Reuben Clark Law Society)
GENERAL MANAGER - Juanita Bennett - LLB | BMS
Juanita started her journey with Community Law Waikato - Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato, as a volunteer 2005. At that time she was completing her studies at the University of Waikato, graduating with a LLB/BMS in 2006. The Centre employed Juanita in 2007 as a solicitor, followed by her promotion as Manager in 2010. “I absolutely love my involvement with the Centre and it is a privilege to be part of the mission. I firmly believe that access to legal services should be available to all individuals as opposed to only being available to the sector of society who can afford it.
What inspires me the most in my role is the endless generosity and humanity of those who work collectively to help others. The words of Nelson Mandela sums it up: “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
SOLICITOR - Justin Young - MA | LLB (Hons)
Alongside Justin’s law degree he has completed a Master of Arts. He has a particular interest in court work, employment and ACC law. He has worked diligently for Community Law Waikato - Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato, since 2012 in striving to achieve the best outcomes for his clients.
LEGAL SERVICES MANAGER – Angela Smith - LLB
Angela has been working for Community Law Waikato - Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato, since 2008 and has experience in a variety of legal areas. Angela enjoys the broad range of law on offer at Community Law Waikato and holds a particular interest in working with refugee clients and refugee reunification applications.
Angela finds the work very rewarding which has kept her here for over a decade. “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make, one person (or starfish) at a time”. - Anon
SOLICITOR - Harriet Youn - LLB | BCom
Harriet became a solicitor at Community Law Waikato - Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato in 2019. She began her legal career in Auckland, where she spent seven years as a junior barrister specialising in various aspects of criminal litigation. After that, she moved to Hamilton and ran her own practice for two years. Harriet holds degrees in law and economics from the University of Otago.
SOLICITOR - Madison Russell - BA | LLB (Hons)
Madison joined Community Law Waikato – Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato in August 2021. She completed her conjoint Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science from Waikato University in 2021. Madison is passionate about improving access to justice, and greatly admires Community Law’s role in doing just that. Madison has worked primarily in Immigration law since joining the Community Law team.
“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better” – Robert F. Kennedy
SOLICITOR - Ellen Hockey - LLB
Ellen joined the team at Community Law Waikato in December 2019. Ellen graduated from the University of Waikato in 2019 and was admitted to the bar in August 2020. Ellen has experience working in various legal areas, with her interests being in Immigration and Employment Law. Ellen is passionate about refugee family reunification and has loved working at Community Law Waikato since 2019.
"What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while." - Gretchen Rubin
SOLICITOR - Toni Crause - LLB
In January 2022, Toni began her journey with Community Law Waikato as a volunteer case worker. She took on multiple roles at the center before becoming a solicitor. After moving from case work to a front-line position in reception, she was promoted to Legal Assistant upon graduating with her Bachelor of Law in October 2022. Toni was admitted to the bar in May 2023 and now works as a solicitor.
Toni values the variety of legal fields she works in at Community Law Waikato and is passionate about advocating for others. She also enjoys contributing to the Community Law kaupapa by presenting the "Law and You" program to the community.
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR – Janinne McKinnon-Thomas - BSoc.Sc
Janinne joined Community Law Waikato in November 2022, bringing over 20 years of experience in administrative roles and small business ownership. A graduate of the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Social Science in Social Policy, she has a long-standing commitment to the community sector. This includes six years as an interviewer and then trustee (treasurer) on the Board of Trustees for Citizens Advice Bureau Hamilton.
Driven by a passion for social justice, she is proud to work alongside a professional team committed to helping the people of the Waikato region. Outside of work, Janinne enjoys culinary adventures with friends.
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” — Archbishop Desmond Tutu
RECEPTION – Tracey Gibson
A true Waikato local - Tracey’s earlier jobs included riding track horses in Matamata before transitioning into administration, operations, and logistics. Tracey’s varied work experience and deep empathy for people lead her to her role at Community Law Waikato – Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato, where she co-ordinates our reception team and volunteers.
With a passion for both horses and people, Tracey volunteered for NZ Riding for the Disabled for several years. She loves helping people and meeting new faces, finding her work at the center incredibly rewarding. In her free time, she adores her whaanau and houseplants.
SOLICITOR – Caitlin Harrison LLB | BSoc.Sc
Caitlin’s journey with Community Law Waikato – Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato began in 2014 as a volunteer caseworker and legal assistant. While she completed her university studies, she moved into the role of evening receptionist and caseworker coordinator.
In 2017, Caitlin graduated with a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Sciences degree with First Class Honours and was admitted to the bar in June of the same year.
After a period in private practice and welcoming her second child, Caitlin returned to her role as a solicitor in April 2023. She practices in most areas of law offered by the center but has a particular passion for immigration, refugee reunification, and employment law mahi. Caitlin is proud to work for an organization where her personal values align so closely with her professional work.
“ I cannot do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that I can do- Jana Stanfield”
SOLICITOR - Neil Shaw - LLB
Neil joined Community Law Waikato - Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato in August 2023. After graduating from the University of Waikato, he was admitted to the bar in 1995.
Neil's extensive legal career includes roles in private practice, government, and as an in-house counsel. He transitioned into management in 2012 when he joined the Auckland Community Law Centre (formerly Grey Lynn Neighbourhood Law Office). Most recently, he served as the General Manager at YouthLaw in Manukau.
Now a resident of Kirikiriroa, Neil is happy to be a part of the Community Law Waikato team.
Reception - Liz Hartstone
Solicitor – Aroha Wainui - MSoc.Sci (Hons) | LLB | M.ILR
Aroha joined Community Law Waikato in July 2023.
Solicitor – Tina-Maree Thatcher - B.Ed | M.EdL (Hons) | LLB
Tina-Maree joined Community Law Waikato as a volunteer caseworker while completing her law degree at the University of Waikato. She was admitted to the bar at the Hamilton High Court in March 2024.
Tina-Maree is an experienced educator, holding senior leadership and principal roles in schools across the Waikato. She believes her education experiences have provided her with a solid foundation for a new legal career, where she strives to provide empathy and humanity throughout judicial processes.
Tina-Maree enjoys the wide range of law on offer at Community Law as her values align with the focus on access to information and justice being available to those in need.
Solicitor – Marree Sylva - LLB | BA (Hons)
Marree (Ngaati Mahuta ki te tai hauaauru/Ngaati Raukawa) joined Te Tari Ture aa Hapori o Waikato in August 2024. She began her conjoint degrees (Law and Arts with a double major in Te Reo Maaori me ona Tikanga and environmental studies) at the University of Otago and graduated with first class honours in 2015 from the University of Waikato.
Marree gained valuable experience in Maaori Land Law, property, Trusts and estate planning before finding her calling leading the Maaori Legal Team at Tairaawhiti Community Law in 2021. Passionate about access to justice for Maaori, Marree currently serves as the Co-chair of Ngaa Kaiawhina Hapori Māori o te Ture (Maaori Caucus for Community Law Centres Aotearoa). She is also an active member of the Te Hunga Rooia Maaori Executive (Maaori Law Society) and holds the position of secretary/treasurer and papakaainga project lead for her whaanau trust.
Marree grew up in Kaawhia and is the eldest of 6. Outside of work, Marree loves spending quality time with friends and whanau, traveling and spending time in the taiao (environment).
Mahia te mahi, hei paenga moo te iwi – "Do what is necessary for the wellbeing of the people” Princess Te Puea Herangi
Reception - Tanya Lumsden
Kaitakawaenga / Community Liaison - Ethan Jerome-Leota - LLB
Ethan began his journey with Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato in April 2021, when he joined our Board of Trustees as an appointed representative for Waikato-Tainui.
Until recently (May 2025), Ethan is seconded to us for 18 months from his role as a legal advisor at Waikato-Tainui, stepping into the position of Kaitakawaenga / Community Liaison at CLW.
Ethan has a strong interest in strengthening the relationship between CLW and Waikato-Tainui, supporting the revitalisation of Te Reo Maaori me oona tikanga, and enhancing community engagement. Ethan is especially passionate about improving access to justice and addressing unmet legal needs across our communities.
Ethan is guided by the well-known tongikura of Princess Te Puea Herangi: “Mahia te mahi hei painga moo te iwi” – Work for the betterment of the people.
Reception - Amanda Jamieson
Solicitor – Maringi Kete - LLB | DipTTP
Maringi, of Waikato, Ngaati Maniapoto, Te Whakatoohea descent, joined
Community Law Waikato - Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato, as a
solicitor in 2025. She started her career as a junior solicitor at a
commercial law firm in Wellington where she gained experience in
Environment and Planning law. Maringi studied law, business and te reo
Maaori at the University of Waikato.
Maringi is passionate about access to justice and strives to make a
tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities by
providing free legal assistance to those who might not otherwise have
access to it. Her commitment reflects the spirit of the whakataukii
(proverb), “Ahakoa he iti, ka nui te wehi - Although small, the impact
is significant". This saying reminds her that meaningful contributions
are not measured by their size but by their quality and effect.
Maringi believes that even the smallest act of legal support can have
a profound and lasting impact on someone’s life.
