Annabel Cresswell
About Annabel
Annabel Cresswell is a specialist jury trial lawyer and her practice covers murder and violent crime, sexual offences and terrorism, criminal appeals, and drug offending.
Annabel will thoroughly investigate your case, and put your case across effectively. Annabel has a reputation for strongly fighting for those who are vulnerable or falsely accused, to get the best outcome for them.
She is regularly called upon to represent women charged with criminal offending as a result of being in violent, coercive and controlling intimate relationships.
Annabel has over 21 years’ experience in Criminal law. She has a powerful presence in Court, and will help you navigate the criminal process and advocate strongly for your rights.
Annabel is based in Auckland, but will accept clients in the Rotorua area also. Annabel does private work but is categorised for legal aid Pal 1-4 and Criminal Appeals.
Annabel is currently an executive member of the Criminal Bar association. She is strongly committed to ensuring access to justice for everybody, and ensuring fundamental rights are protected.
Sarah Hames
About Sarah
Sarah Hames is a junior barrister for Annabel Cresswell. In her capacity as a junior barrister, Sarah has had the privilege of assisting senior counsel with high profile and serious cases, including murder, sexual violence, and drug charges.
Sarah was admitted to the bar in 2018, having graduated with a BComLLB at Victoria University of Wellington. During her time at university, Sarah worked as a student editor for LexisNexis New Zealand and, in her studies, she gained academic excellence in her BCom major of public policy, winning the IPANZ award.
Her passion for social justice has filtered through her career in criminal law. Sarah has worked both as a Crown prosecutor and a defence barrister, appearing before the Court on jury trials, judge alone trials, High Court appeals, pre-trial issues as well as bail and sentencing matters.
Sarah is an approved legal aid provider for PAL 1 matters.
Aarushi Kumar
About Aarushi
Aarushi is a law clerk at Pōhutukawa Chambers working for experienced barristers Annabel Cresswell and Sam Galler. With a passion for understanding the relationship between the legal system and social issues, she is pursuing a double degree in Law and Arts, majoring in Sociology and Criminology.
In her penultimate year at the University of Auckland, she is eager to leverage her education and experience to make a meaningful impact in the legal field whilst continuing to grow under her mentors' guidance.
