JOHN MUNRO

Mobile phone: 021 686 763
Email: john@criminallawyersnz.co.nz

An accomplished lawyer based in Auckland, John is highly skilled and experienced in criminal cases of many kinds. His career has spanned two decades and included work in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom: as a criminal defence and civil lawyer in New Plymouth, as a crown prosecutor in Rotorua, and a significant period honing his skills as a solicitor in one of London’s most highly-regarded criminal defence firms. Upon return to New Zealand, John established Sentinel Chambers in Victoria Street. This is now a leading criminal defence chambers, home to a highly qualified group of Auckland barristers.

John’s experience as a criminal defence lawyer covers a very wide array of cases in varied areas of law including sexual cases, drugs cases, violence cases, and more—you can find out more about this by looking at his expertise. Whatever the case may be, he takes a meticulous, measured, and pragmatic approach that’s geared at achieving the best outcome for a client.

On a personal level, John’s heritage includes Scottish, Croatian, and Māori (Ngāpuhi and Ngātiwai) ancestry. He enjoys swimming; before devoting most of his time to criminal law he reached a top 20 international ranking in the 400 individual medley event, representing New Zealand. Through swimming, he attended university in the United States on a full scholarship. Reaching a high level in any sport requires dedication, perseverance, and plain hard work—all attributes that John has carried into his legal career.

JAMES OLSEN

Mob: 022 612 1450
Email: john@criminallawyersnz.co.nz

A part of John’s team since 2016, James was admitted to the bar in 2017 after excelling academically throughout his studies at law school.

He continues to impress in his work at the practice, reading the law, drafting legal submissions, and dealing with a variety of cases. James shows a huge amount of aptitude and skill for his short years of experience. As well as conducting his own cases in the District Court, he regularly appears with John as second counsel on difficult jury trials in the District and High Courts. His insight is helpful in trial strategy. He has also appeared as junior counsel—and assisted with research and drafting—for significant appeals before the Court of Appeal and in substantial pre-trial issues.

Outside of work, James enjoys unwinding with a good book, getting into the outdoors, as well as spending time with family and friends.