About us

My team and I work together and collaboratively for our clients. This approach enables us to ensure you are always able to get in touch with a lawyer at short notice, and to always have a point of contact if I am not available. My Office Manager, will help and put you in contact with one of us, at any time.

When I represent you in court, you will have the benefit of my team approach. When I prepare for other court hearings and for trial, my team will work on your case.

In extension to our team, we also work with a collection of highly regarded experts to prepare your case. We have a trusted network of experienced private investigators, forensic pathologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, neuro-psychologists, forensic computer and phone experts, scientists,DNA experts, CCTV and photograph analysts, fingerprint experts and other issue - specific specialists

Philip Hamlin - Barrister

Philip is a former Crown Prosecutor with over 40 years’ of experience.

Phil is recognised for his expertise in a number of important areas including sex crimes, child abuse and homicides, expert evidence cases, appeals, pornography and computer-internet crime. He has appeared in a number of significant trials including murder, attempted murder, serious assaults, drugs, fraud and sex crimes.

Phil is an expert in defending his clients at trial, advising them on practical options in relation to each step in the process, engaging a range of experts to assist in their defence, and dealing with the many issues that arise when appearing in Court as a defendant.

Phil is able to take instructions privately and is an approved criminal legal aid provider (PAL 4).

EDUCATION

University of Auckland

BA (majoring in Psychology)

LLB (Hons)

MJur (Distinction)

Ben Mugisho - Employed Barrister

Ben is an experienced criminal lawyer.  He began his career at the Public Defence Service. Before joining Phil Hamlin, he prosecuted serious crimes on behalf of the Crown in Auckland and Manukau.

Ben enjoys working with people and getting the best results for his clients, regardless of the charge against them.  He has appeared as lead/sole or junior counsel in a number of trials involving manslaughter, serious violence and sexual violation.  He has also appeared on appeals before the High Court and Court of Appeal. 

Ben can take instructions privately and is a PAL 2 Legal Aid provider.

Ben is fluent in English, French and Swahili. 

EDUCATION

Auckland University of Technology

BA, LLB

Sarah Hames - Employed Barrister

Sarah was admitted to the bar in 2018, having graduated with a BComLLB at Victoria University of Wellington. During her time at university, Sarah worked as a student editor for LexisNexis New Zealand and, in her studies, she gained academic excellence in her BCom major of public policy, winning the IPANZ award.

In her capacity as an employed barrister, Sarah has had the privilege of assisting senior counsel with high profile and serious cases, including murder, sexual violence, and drug charges.

Her passion for social justice has filtered through her career in criminal law. Sarah has worked both as a Crown prosecutor and a defence barrister, appearing before the Court on jury trials, judge alone trials, High Court appeals, pre-trial issues as well as bail and sentencing matters.

Sarah can take instructions privately and is a PAL 2 Legal Aid provider.

EDUCATION

Victoria University of Wellington

BCom, LLB, 2017

Sarah Baird - Employed Barrister

Sarah joined Philip’s team at the beginning of 2023 and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of ­­­­­­­the High Court soon after. She completed her Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts majoring in Politics at The University of Otago. Sarah is a diligent worker and enjoys assisting Philip with files involving the intersection between mental health law and criminal law. Sarah is particularly interested in the operation of the fitness to stand trial regime and has published in the New Zealand Universities Law Review in this area.

Sarah is a PAL 1 Legal Aid provider.

EDUCATION

University of Otago

BA, LLB (hons) 2022

Danielle LeGallais - Employed Barrister

Danielle joined Philip’s team in August 2022 and graduated with an LLB as an adult student from AUT in 2023, where she is in the final stages of completing a Bachelor of Business. Danielle juggles work and single Motherhood of her two teenage boys. Prior to joining the team, Danielle’s passion for social justice had her engaged in various grassroots community groups, championing the human rights of Māori, Pasifika and lower socio-economic communities. Danielle is a Supervised Provider and an asset to the office.

EDUCATION

Auckland University of Technology

LLB (2023)

Pouneh Barzandeh - Office Manager

Pouneh joined Philip's practice in July 2022. Prior to working for Philip she had been working within the criminal justice sector, and the dispute resolution sector since early 2015. Pouneh has spent time as a Registrar at Auckland District Court, and at another legal chambers. Pouneh has a Bachelor of Arts from the Auckland University of Technology majoring in social science and criminology.

EDUCATION

Auckland University of Technology

BA(Socsc, Crim) 2012

Kim Anderson - Office Support

Kim joined Philip's practice in November 2019. Prior to working for Philip she had been working within the criminal justice sector since early 2016. Kim has spent time as a Registrar at North Shore District Court, and at another legal practice. Kim has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Auckland majoring in Psychology and Criminology.  

EDUCATION

University of Auckland

BA(Psych, Crim) 2014