Sonja Cooper
I am the Principal Partner of Cooper Legal, Lawyers, based in Wellington, New Zealand. Cooper Legal is one of the only law firms in New Zealand specialising in child abuse claims and I have been doing this work since 1995.
Length of doing PI Work
25 years
Other Work
Human rights work (prisoner rights, claims for survivors of other abuse).
Experience in cases brought on behalf of a survivor of abuse
I have advocated for survivors to all levels of the New Zealand courts. The firm has also provided shadow reports to the United Nations and I was an independent observer when New Zealand was last examined by UNCROC. More recently, lawyers including myself have been assisting survivors to give evidence in the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
Experience in cases brought on behalf of a survivor of abuse
I have advocated for survivors to all levels of the New Zealand courts. The firm has also provided shadow reports to the United Nations and I was an independent observer when New Zealand was last examined by UNCROC. More recently, lawyers including myself have been assisting survivors to give evidence in the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
Experience in similar types of cases, i.e. Family Mental Health work, Child Care, Education, Cases against Local Authorities
For 9 years I was a District Inspector of Mental Health (an Ombudsman-type role). I also practiced in family law for 15 years. For the entirety of my career I have advocated for child and teenage offenders in our criminal courts. As part of our child abuse work, we advocate for survivors of abuse in residential and public schools. We also advocate for those who are abused in faith-based and other care.
Expert Qualifications and experience
LLB (Hons), BA and LLM. I am in the 3rd year of study to complete my PhD in relation to pathways in tort for survivors of child abuse. I also hold a Diploma in Business Studies majoring in ADR.
Contact Us
- The Terrace, Wellington, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand.
- Cooper Legal
- 64274492973