Sumudu Thode, Thode Utting John Miller Sonja Cooper Peter Johnston, Rainey Collins
The stayers in the legal aid stakes are taken from figures 12 years ago where we compared the ‘veteran’ earners, headed by all-star legal aid lawyer Sonja Cooper, who received $1.5 million in the 2006/07 year and $1.7 million in the last year reported.
Ironically perhaps, Sonja Cooper’s firm makes its principal income from suing the Government funding them, handling psychiatric claims against the government on behalf of those abused under the previous mental health system.
[adrotate banner=”91″]
Three other Wellington recipients who featured 10 years ago include Rainey Collins, Thomas Dewar and John Miller Law.
The major legal aid earners from 2010 and today (being as at the last reported ‘earnings season’ are below.
The 2010 Top 10 . . And Today
2010 | 2018/19 |
Charl Hirschfeld* – 2.8m | n/a |
Rainey Collins – 2.4m | 565,000 |
Tamaki Legal – 1.8m | 1.955m |
Kensington Swan – 1.4m | 138,000 |
Sonja Cooper – 1.2m | 1.7m |
Rangitauira & Co** – 1.08m | n/a |
Thomas Dewar – 880,000 | 930,000 |
Te Nahu Lovell – 900,000 | 390,000 |
Shane Tait – 807,000 | 433,000 |
John Miller Law – 806,000 | 972,000 |
*Charl Hirschfeld faced disciplinary proceedings in 2013 regarding his legal aid work, quitting handling the work, principally for Treaty of Waitangi claims, in 2011. He was paid around $8 million from legal aid work over a four year period. (NBR).
** John Rangitauira was jailed for fraud after being duped in an email scam involving an alleged inheritance of $27 million.
The Million Dollar Law Firms
>> See The Multi-Million Dollar Legal Aid Lady

[adrotate banner=”90″]

Latest on LawFuel
- How to Help Legal Teams Access Mental Health Solutions EfficientlyArticle Source: Rula.com (Photo credit: Pexels) A junior associate reviewing case files at 2 a.m.,… Read more: How to Help Legal Teams Access Mental Health Solutions Efficiently
- How Complex Litigation Skills Advance Legal CareersArticle: Bleichmar, Fonti & Auld, LLP – Complex litigation specialists, US and Canada Image… Read more: How Complex Litigation Skills Advance Legal Careers
- Legal Terms Under PI Law You Should Know AboutWhen you or someone you care about gets hurt in an accident, things can feel… Read more: Legal Terms Under PI Law You Should Know About
- Disability Planning for Families: Key Legal Tools to Protect Your Loved OnesImage Source: Pexels.com Planning for the future is essential for every family, but it becomes… Read more: Disability Planning for Families: Key Legal Tools to Protect Your Loved Ones
- The Mistakes That Most Make When Choosing a Family Law AttorneyChoosing the right family law attorney shapes the future of life’s most personal and pivotal… Read more: The Mistakes That Most Make When Choosing a Family Law Attorney
- What New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorneys Say About Domestic Violence AllegationsFacing Allegations That Can Shatter Lives: Understanding Domestic Violence Legal Consequences One accusation can change… Read more: What New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorneys Say About Domestic Violence Allegations
- Buchalter Welcomes Kendall Woods to Litigation Practice in ChicagoBuchalter is pleased to announce that Kendall Woods has joined the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group… Read more: Buchalter Welcomes Kendall Woods to Litigation Practice in Chicago