JOHN MUNRO

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

An accomplished criminal 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 defense 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 defense firms. Upon return to New Zealand, John established Sentinel Chambers in Victoria Street. This is now a leading criminal defense chambers, home to a highly qualified group of Auckland barristers.

John’s experience as a criminal defense 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 at law school.

Regularly appearing and arguing cases across the full spectrum, James has built up a wealth of experience. As well as conducting his own cases, James regularly appears as second counsel with John in difficult and serious trials in the District Court and the High Court.

Having a particular interest in appellate advocacy, James has argued both as sole or second counsel in excess of 12 appeals in the High Court and Court of Appeal; successfully overturning convictions, addressing novel points of law and obtaining reductions in sentences. In addition, he recently argued a case with John in the Supreme Court.

Outside of work, James enjoys unwinding with a good book and getting into the outdoors.