The Law List Topped By Clint Rickards And Anand Santaynand

LawFuel - The Law Jobs and News Wire

They may be unusual bedfellows, but the two most-searched lawyers in New Zealand are Governor General Anand Santaynand and recently admitted lawyer, former policeman and former rape accused Clint Rickards.

The LawFuel/Google law rankings show the Governor General, a former barrister and District Court Judge, with 440 entries and Clint Rickards, the former Police superintendent acquitted of rape charges last year and who subsequently resigned from the Police, with 402 entries.

Rickards was admitted to the bar last week amid considerable controvery as to his character, a matter that was decided by the New Zealand Law Society.

Among the rest of the top 10 lawyers is former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer (309), ranked by The Listener as New Zealand's most powerful lawyer, who heads the Law Commission and was recently admitted as a "Senior Counsel".

Third on the list was controversial Maori activist lawyer Annette Sykes (281), who also features on the Listener list. Another controversial Maori lawyer, Moana Jackson features at position four at 364 entries.

Following the top group there is a fall-off in entries with next up being well known public lawyer and former partner of Geoffrey Palmer, Mai Chen (230), followed by long-time criminal QC Auckland's Peter Williams (190).

Among other QCs who feature outside the top 10, are David Collins (Solicitor General) 84, Nigel Hampton (77), John Haigh (72), Stuart Grieve (65) and Michael Reed (52).

See the list at www.LawFuel.co.nz

LawFuel.co.nz is New Zealand's online legal jobs newswire service.

ENDS

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