Editors-in-Chief – 2023 Edition

Erica Burke
Erica is an Associate in the Family Law team at Haigh Lyon Lawyers Limited in Tāmaki Makaurau,  specialising in relationship property, care of children and family violence matters. 

Erica has long supported the kaupapa of the Jounal and been involved in earlier years, including as an author for the first volume (2017 edition). In 2022, after four years, Erica stepped down as Secretary and Committee Member of the Auckland Women Lawyer's Association. In 2023, she also looks forward to being a mentor within the University of Auckland Law School He Ira Wāhine – Women’s Mentoring Programme. Previously, Erica has also been a member of the Auckland District Law Society’s Newly Suited Committee.

Erica graduated from the University of Auckland in 2016 with a BA (Political Science)/LLB (Hons). She is excited for the opportunity ahead as Co-Editor-in-Chief alongside an impressive leadership team.

Ellen Lellman
Ellen is the Senior Clerk to the Principal Family Court Judge of Aotearoa New Zealand in the Chief District Court Judge’s Chambers (Te Whare o Ngā Kaihautū Waka) and has been in that role since 2021. Ellen grew up in Tauranga and moved to Te Whanganui-a-Tara to study degrees in law, criminology and French at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Ellen also works as a Teaching Fellow and Head Tutor for Victoria’s Law Faculty. Ellen credits her experience as a Community Law Kaihapai / Advocate at the Oranga Tamariki Care and Protection Residence in Epuni, Wellington as one of the most challenging but purposeful and formative roles she has undertaken. At university, Ellen led the creation of the first Feminist Moot competition as an executive member of the Victoria University Feminist Law Society. She was also awarded a Prime Minister’s Scholarship to study law at the National University of Singapore.

Ellen feels very privileged to be a part of the Journal’s kaupapa, and to have the opportunity to support the development of intersectional and interesting academia within Aotearoa’s justice system. Ellen is a former Associate Editor of the Journal.

Romy Wales - Deputy Editor
Romy Wales is a solicitor in the litigation team at Chapman Tripp, where she practices civil and public litigation. Romy graduated from the University of Otago in 2021 with an LLB(Hons) and a BSc majoring in Neuroscience. She began her career as a judges' clerk at Te Kōti Matua o Tāmaki Makaurau (the Auckland High Court). Romy's areas of interest include access to justice, the experiences of women and rainbow communities in the law, and public law.

Romy joined the Journal in 2022 as an Associate Editor, and before that was a Style Editor of the Public Interest Law Journal of New Zealand. She is also a member of the Wellington Young Lawyers Committee

Rachel Bedggood - Deputy Editor
Rachel is a Judge’s Clerk at the Court of Appeal | Te Koti Pira O Aotearoa. While in this role she has developed a passion for improving criminal justice outcomes, especially for women and marginalised groups, who often lack the resources or support necessary to navigate the justice system.

Rachel moved to Te Whanganui-a-Tara for her current role, but grew up in Ōtautahi and attended university there. Rachel graduated from the University of Canterbury with an LLB(Hons) in 2022. During her time at university Rachel was involved with numerous clubs, including a stint as vice president of QCanterbury, a club representing rainbow and takatāpui students at UC. 

Rachel strongly believes in the importance of having an Aotearoa-based journal dedicated to supporting legal research which tackles issues of gender justice, and she is thrilled to be able to contribute to the Journal’s valuable mahi.

Kaupapa Māori Editors

Rhianna Morar
Rhianna hails from Ngāti Porou (Te Whānau a Ruataupare), Tapuika (Ngāti Moko) and Gujarat. She is passionate about increasing Māori authorship and has published works in the Victoria University Law Review, Māori Law Review and the NZWLJ. Rhianna is currently a Lawyer at Bell Gully, having previously worked at a kaupapa Māori law firm. Outside of work, Rhianna is actively involved in the Greater Wellington and Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley.

Nerys Udy
Nerys (Ngāi Tahu) is a junior barrister at Thorndon Chambers, and previously clerked for Chief Justice Winkelmann at the Supreme Court. She works across a wide range of civil practice areas and has a particular interest in Treaty issues and indigenous and human rights.

Aroha Fletcher
Aroha (Tuhoe, Ngāti Awa) is a barrister and solicitor with Stace Hammond that specialises in family law. She is currently assisting the Royal Commission's inquiry into abuse in State care and in the cafe of faith-based institutions. Aroha graduated in 2012 and received her Masters of Laws in 2014. She was previously a Judge’s Clerk for the Principal Family Court Judge of New Zealand.

Managing Editor and Engagement Manager

Amelia Cina – Managing Editor
Amelia is a former Senior Solicitor in the litigation team at Russell McVeagh.  She graduated with first class honours from Victoria University of Wellington in 2018 with a conjoint LLB and BCom majoring in Public Policy.  Amelia has taught courses on legal writing and mooting as a Teaching Fellow at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.  Prior to commencing private practice, Amelia was a Judges’ Clerk at the Wellington High Court and worked as a research assistant to Professor Campbell McLachlan KC.  Amelia’s areas of interest include public law, access to justice and alternative dispute resolution.

Shannon Beardsley – Engagement Manager
Shannon has over 15 years’ experience in community development working primarily for non-governmental and not for profit organisations. She is qualified in Career Counseling, Project Management and Mental Health & Addiction Support. Additionally, Shannon is currently completing her final paper of her LLB, with the hopes of moving into the policy and advocacy space.

Gender equity has been a focus of Shannon’s recent work where she has been a part of projects such as establishing a bicycle education programme for migrant and former refugee women, and facilitating workshops for groups like Uniting Canterbury Women’s Association. She is currently developing career education resources that help prepare young women to recognise and address gender discrimination in their career.

Advocacy Manager

Rebecca D’Silva – Advocacy Manager
Rebecca is an Associate at Gilbert Walker. She advises and acts on a broad range of civil disputes, including commercial and insurance matters. Rebecca is a volunteer lawyer at the Auckland Community Law Centre’s Evening Clinics. Prior to joining Gilbert Walker, she completed two years as a Judges’ Clerk at the High Court in Auckland. While a Judges’ Clerk, she assisted with a broad range of criminal and civil matters. 

While at university, Rebecca participated in the Law Exchange programme at the University of Amsterdam. She interned in Ho Chi Minh City, after being awarded a Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia. She has previously been a public law tutor at the University of Auckland. In addition to law, Rebecca also holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Economics. She is passionate about access to justice and gender justice, and advocating for law reform on these issues.