Need to stay informed about changes for employers in the accredited employer scheme, alterations to the skilled migrant category and work visas? Want to delve into preparing character waiver submissions? Curious about proactive advocacy and interviews and potential judicial review grounds? Interested in how strategic client advising can transform investigations and appeals? All these questions and more will be addressed at the Immigration Law Conference. Don't miss out on gaining valuable insights. 

Presenters

Mrs Charlotte Summers, Licensed Immigration Adviser
Charlotte previously worked for INZ for 18 months following the completion of her LLB before commencing work with one of New Zealand’s leading immigration companies, Pathways to New Zealand Ltd, in Hamilton in October 2012. Due to the restrictions of the Immigration Advisers Licencing Act and the 12 month stand down requirement, Charlotte initially worked in the role of Client Relationship Manager while completing her GCNZIA and LLM degree. Charlotte relocated to the Pathways Wellington Office in January 2016 where she has continued to develop her particular expertise in appeal, deportation, ministerial requests, character and health matters. In regard to immigration-related health matters Charlotte’s expertise has contributed to successful outcomes from children with ASD at all ends of the spectrum through to heart conditions in young and elderly adults, and applicants with cancer, HIV, hepatitis, psychiatric matters and very rare health conditions. Charlotte’s legal background and her extensive experience with Pathways makes her especially well credentialed to present on immigration health matters.


Ms. Lauren Qiu, Principal, Stay Legal
Lauren is the Principal at Stay Legal. She has presented at national seminars and conferences on immigration law. She is a guest lecturer, teaching aspiring immigration advisers at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology. Lauren is also an immigration law commentary Author for Thomson Reuters. Lauren is currently a Committee Member of The Law Association’s (formerly Auckland District Law Society) Immigration & Refugee Law Committee, a Member of the Tauranga Migrant Settlement Network (an Immigration New Zealand led Welcoming Communities initiative), and a Volunteer Immigration Solicitor at the Citizens Advice Bureau (Tauranga).


Ms. Carol Nan Ma, Director, NZ Visa Wiz Ltd
Carol Ma migrated to NZ as an international student in 2003. She developed a keen interest in immigration matters in the spirit of helping others of similar background and began practising as a licensed immigration adviser since 2014. She focuses her practice areas on temporary and resident visas for skilled migrants. Carol also holds Master of Civil Engineering from the University of Auckland and Bachelor of Civil Engineering with honours from Canterbury University. She works in both transport engineering and immigration industries. Carol finds there are interesting similarities between the two professions, working with codes and standards, flexible and agile problem solving, and standing up to challenges with good communication skills.


Mr. Simon Graham, Partner, Young Hunter Lawyers
Simon is a litigation partner at Young Hunter Lawyers. He is responsible for leading the firm’s immigration and human rights team. As part of his role, he regularly appears before specialist Tribunals, and the Courts. Simon specialises in providing advice and representation with respect to all aspects of immigration litigation. This includes deportation appeals, refugee and protected status appeals, residence appeals, judicial reviews and High Court appeals, and criminal matters (including immigration fraud) which have the potential to affect a person’s immigration status. He is a member of the New Zealand Immigration and Refugee Law Committee of the New Zealand Law Society.


Mr. Jack Cheng, Senior Associate, Meredith Connell
Jack is a Senior Associate at Meredith Connell (MC). He practised as a barrister from 2000 to 2014, representing mainly international clients in criminal and immigration matters. During his tenure as a barrister he regularly appeared in the District Courts and the High Court. He has also appeared as second counsel in several high profile trials involving serious crimes, including organised crime, importation and supply of drugs, money laundering, and murder. In 2014 Jack joined Queen City Law as a consultant and began to specialise in immigration law. In the past 8 years he has built up a formidable immigration practice, having successfully assisted hundreds of clients from across the globe. Jack is well versed in a wide spectrum of immigration work, from visa applications to appeals to the IPT and Ministerials. He frequently advises on complicated immigration matters involving significant financial, character, health, or humanitarian issues. In 2022 he decided to join MC, Office of the Crown Solicitor in Auckland to further broaden his legal landscape. Jack is a current member of the ADLS Immigration & Refugee Law Committee and NZAMI.


Mr. Simon Laurent, Principal, Laurent Law
Since starting practice representing refugees in the mid-1990s, Simon Laurent has developed a strong reputation as a leader in the Immigration field. He has chaired and presented seminars for both lawyers and immigration advisers, and has been called upon to provide industry comment for the media. For several years Simon sat on the Council of the Auckland District Law Society. He was a founding member of the Society's Immigration and Refugee Committee and has been a past Convenor. From 2010 to 2012 he was Chairman of the New Zealand Association of Migration and Investment. Laurent Law accepts instructions to solve complex immigration situations, including referrals from other lawyers and advisers.


Mr. Aaron Martin, Principal Lawyer, New Zealand Immigration Law
Aaron Martin is one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded practitioners of immigration law. Holding a law degree from the University of Auckland, Aaron has decades of experience in assisting private individuals, SMBs, and corporate clients. He is a member of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment (NZAMI), a professional association for New Zealand migration advisors and those who use their services. Aaron’s early experience as an immigration consultant for Malcolm Pacific has given him considerable skill in evaluating complex cases, including those requiring ministerial intervention, appeals, and character or medical waivers. An immigration lawyer for 25 years, he has a sterling reputation and an excellent working relationship with Immigration New Zealand. Aaron is also well-versed in general legal practice and possesses a thorough working knowledge of relevant tax laws and commercial issues facing Investor Category applicants and migrants seeking to establish a business in New Zealand. While he specialises in commercial issues, Aaron takes great pleasure in reuniting families and helping international students transition to the workforce and onto residency.


Ms. Deborah Pollard-Manning, Barrister, Landmark Chambers
Deborah Manning is a New Zealand barrister specialising in human rights law including refugee and immigration law. From 2008-2011, she was a senior legal consultant to a Geneva human rights organisation which represents victims of grave human rights violations in the Arab region. She was co-counsel for the Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui, successfully representing him in the review of the first national security risk certificate issued in New Zealand from 2003- 2007. This was a landmark case which saw successful applications and appeals before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court - with Rodney Harrison QC as lead counsel. Deborah is an Executive Member of the Human Rights Foundation (first holding this Membership in 2002), and has been an Executive Member of the Refugee Council of New Zealand from 2000. She is the current convener of the Auckland District Law Society Refugee and Immigration Committee. Deborah currently practices as a barrister in Auckland supported by a team of junior barristers.