Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Description
Attend and earn 0.5 CPD hour
* This interactive online recording includes questions and quizzes requiring critical thinking about the topics, so you have no annual limits to the number of points/hours you can claim with this format of learning. Please verify with your CPD rules
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the impact of cultural factors on legal communication and client engagement
- Apply practical cross-cultural communication strategies when advising migrant and refugee clients
Cultural Competency for Legal Practitioners: Effective Communication with Diverse Clients
Walk away with practical skills and with specific insights for working with migrant and refugee clients.
- Understanding culture and its impact on legal practice
- Cross-cultural communication strategies
- Working with interpreters effectively
- Building trust with diverse client populations
- Practical tools for immediate implementation
Presented by Maha Galal MNZM, Senior Social Worker / Family and Youth Culture Reports Writer, Ministry of Justice
Chair
Aaron Martin, Principal Lawyer, New Zealand Immigration Law
Presenters
Maha Galal MNZM, Senior Social Worker / Family and Youth Culture Reports Writer, Ministry of Justice
Maha Galal MNZM is a highly respected community leader and advocate, honored as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her exceptional services to the Muslim community and support for victims and families following the Christchurch 2019 terrorist attack. With over 24 years of international experience, Maha Galal is a recognized expert in cultural competence. She has been invited as a guest lecturer at prestigious institutions such as Canterbury University, Auckland University of Technology (AUT), and others, where she shares her expertise on this vital subject.
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.
