Psychiatric Cases Big Earner For Wellington Lawyer
Legal Aid Figures Show Millions Spent On Psychiatric And Other Cases

LawFuel.co.nz - Wellington barrister Sonja Cooper received the most from legal aid funds for the final six months of last year, topping over $1,580,000 in payments for her psychiatric-related claims in the six month period.

For the 18 months up until the end of 2007 Ms Cooper received over $2.8 million, placing her in second place nationally behind major law firm Kensington Swan, whose total for the 18 months was over $3.6 million.

Former Victoria University lecturer and recipient of a civic award for his good works, John Miller took a total of over $1.3 million for the 18 month period until the end of last year.

For the six months until the end of 2007 the top 10 legal aid earners in the capital (in rounded figures) were:

1. Sonja Cooper ($1,580,000)
2. Kensington Swan ($1,360,000)
3. Rainey Collins ($1,100,000)
4. Greg King ($618,000)
5. John Miller ($580,000)
6. Johnson Lawrence ($544,000)
7. Kahui Legal ($359,000)
8. Feint & Co ($336,000)
9. Christina Leech ($239,000)
10. The Law Store ($226,000)

The figures obtained by LawFuel show the top legal aid recipients over the periods as being:

1 July - 31 December 2007 1 July 2006 - 31 June 2007

1. Sonja M Cooper 1,580.674.66 1. Kensington Swan 2.257,600.16
2. Kensington Swan 1,367,406.97 2. Charl Hirschfeld 1.492.187.16
3. Charl Hirschfeld 1,325,830.54 3. Sonja Cooper 1.284.187.16
4. Rainey Collins 1,094,351.26 4. Rainey Collins 990,966.53
5. Rangitauira & Co 811,085.68 5. Powell Webber 846,434.10
6. Wackrow Williams 653,254.73 6. Rangitauira & Co 806,726.64
7. Darrell Naden 628,978 7. G J King 805,280.05
8. Shane Tait 627,224.20 8. Corban Revell 803,801.47
9. G J King 618,206.02 9. John Miller 745,450.88
10. McCaw Lewis 613,502.55 10. Wackrow Williams 672,352.98

Top Five (18 month period until 31 December 2007, rounded to nearest 1000)

1.Kensington Swan $3,625,000
2.Sonja M Cooper $2,865,000
3.Charl Hirschfeld $2,818,000
4.Rainey Collins $2,080,000
5.Rangitauira & Co $1,618,000

The full legal aid list of payments may be seen at www.lawfuel.co.nz

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