Why IPLS?

We’re proud to be New Zealand born and raised, we’re the original organisation formed to teach law graduates the practical legal skills they need to perform at a professional level. We were the first to develop a skills-based approach alongside the legal industry in Aotearoa.

If you’re asking yourself why IPLS, why not?

 

Mission

Our mission is to prepare law graduates to enter practice competent, resilient and ready to contribute to the wider profession so that they can add value to the lives of the public of Aotearoa.

Values

As a New Zealand organisation, we embrace diversity and Te Ao Māori. We have adopted a set of Māori principles that are at the heart of our culture. They represent what we stand for and how we serve our rangatahi.

 
 

Whanaungatanga

A sense of belonging through shared experiences.

We welcome everyone into the IPLS whānau, acknowledging and supporting diversity.

Manaakitanga

Extending aroha and demonstrating kindness, generosity and support.

We are available when needed, provide regular feedback and employ a coaching approach that complements our legal expertise.

 
 
 
 

Mōhiotanga

Sharing knowledge.

We thrive on assisting law graduates to develop practical, legal skills that will that will give them a head start in the workplace.

Māramatanga

Understanding.

Our unique skills-based approach teaches information that is up-to-date, relevant and directly applicable to the workplace.

 
 
 
 

Tuākana / Tēina

Current leaders, future leaders.  

We understand that knowledge is taonga to be passed from one generation to the next.  IPLS instructors have a strong desire to give back to the profession and they take seriously the role they play in teaching and supporting the future lawyers of Aotearoa.

Kaitiakitanga

Guardians.

IPLS is committed to the rule of law and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. We value the opportunity to help nurture future lawyers as they progress through university (via our sponsorship and events programme), complete Profs and ultimately transition into the workplace.

NZQA 2021 Feedback

“High performance is achieved through quality teaching and learning processes targeted and regularly reviewed to effectively match needs and ensure law graduates develop the practical skills and knowledge required for legal practice. IPLS is focused on delivering training that inspires learning and supports each student to achieve the required practical skills, knowledge and competencies needed for legal practice.”

The Professional Legal Studies Course is of high value to the legal profession. Its content and delivery are tailored to effectively match the needs of law graduates and employer law firms. 

  • Highly effective processes include high-calibre instructors, excellent formative learning, high levels of engagement and interaction to support learning, and individualised additional tuition and support. These processes support almost 100 per cent course completions and valued outcomes. Student wellbeing is a key focus. 

  • Relevant and consistent delivery is achieved through authentic moderation practice and instructor guidance, training and development. 

  • Quality self-assessment information is used insightfully to enhance academic processes and the learning experience. Core data sources are closely analysed on an ongoing basis to review performance and drive improvement.’

    Source: 2021 NZQA External Evaluation and Review report.

 

Our instructors

Experienced:

At IPLS all our instructors are experienced lawyers, many combining teaching with their own legal practice. They incorporate their own real-world experience as well as the latest legal developments from New Zealand and across Australasia​.

Ongoing support:

Whatever course option you choose, your instructors will stay by your side throughout your time with IPLS, providing coaching, mentoring and support.

 

Bernadette Wilson – National Director

Bernadette is based in the Auckland office and was appointed National Director in 2005. She is committed to ensuring IPLS trainees take the highest standards of professionalism with them into the workplace. Prior to joining IPLS, Bernadette worked for Bell Gully in Auckland in its commercial property team as well as for a smaller firm in general practice focusing on company, commercial and property law.

Stephanie Mead

Stephanie was admitted to the bar in 2004, and after several years as a solicitor in suburban practice she commenced practice as a Barrister Sole. Stephanie’s core areas of legal practice and research interest include environmental health law, resource management and local government law. Stephanie has a PhD in Law from the University of Auckland. As a Barrister Stephanie undertakes dispute resolution, and provides advice on property, resource management, environmental and planning law matters.

Michael Gardam

Mike graduated from Auckland Law School in 1993 LLB (Hons) . He has worked in both private practice and the government sector in the area of general litigation and administrative law. He has worked with the NZLS CLE as both a presenter and an organiser. For a number of years, Mike has been involved in the NZLS CLE Duty Solicitor Training Programme. He is a former member of the NZLS Law Reform Committee and the former convenor of the NZLS Youth Justice Committee. Mike has appeared in various forums including the Court of Appeal. Mike currently practises as a barrister sole in Whangarei with a particular interest in Youth Justice and alternative dispute resolution.

Janine Bonifant

Janine is a barrister specialising in a range of litigation. She commenced practice in the Taranaki, before moving to Hamilton where she was recruited as a Crown Prosecutor. She then moved to take up the deputy’s role at the then new Tasman Crown Solicitor’s office before switching back to defence work as the Deputy Public Defender for Wellington. Janine then returned to the independent Bar bringing a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors. Janine has also served on a number of New Zealand Law Society committees. She has a BA/LLB from University of Victoria.

Michelle Hall Collins

Michelle has held a practising certificate since 1995 and has been an Instructor with IPLS since 2007. For many years Michelle was also the Learning & Programme Development Manager for IPLS, working in the areas of course design and instructor training. She has a background in both public and private sector legal practice and has worked in New Zealand and the UK. She has been a contributor to legal publications on employment law issues, has presented papers at conferences for Australasian providers of practical legal training and has served on the Auckland District Law Society’s Continuing Professional Development Committee. 

Justin Kleinbaum

Justin was admitted to the bar in 2007, having graduated from Auckland Law School. He has worked for government departments and regulatory bodies in the areas of general litigation, family law, insolvency, tax and professional discipline. Justin previously qualified as an Associate of the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand and has extensive dispute resolution experience. His latest role was as the National Prosecutions Manager of the New Zealand Law Society and he has recently commenced sole practice with a focus on governmental and regulatory dispute resolution.

Linda Hughes

Linda completed her BA-LLB at Otago University and was admitted to the Bar in 1985. She commenced work as a solicitor with the Housing Corporation of New Zealand in Hamilton later transferring to the Public Trust Office and then setting up in sole practice in New Plymouth in 1991. Linda moved to Hamilton in 2003 and continues to work in sole practice. Linda’s areas of practice include property transactions, wills, estates, property succession and trusts. In recent years Linda has been a tutor at WINTEC tutoring legal executive students in Estate Law and Practice.

 
 

Paula Warren

Paula joined IPLS in 2001 while practising as a senior lawyer at Minter Ellison in Auckland. Admitted in 1988, she has significant experience across a wide range of areas including commercial litigation, conveyancing, criminal and family law as well as estate planning. Paula enjoys teaching in both the online learning environment and the onsite blocks and particularly enjoys the opportunity to contribute in a practical sense to law graduates’ continuing education.

Christina Lee

Christina is a practicing barrister and solicitor specialising in family and commercial law and has a wealth of experience in lecturing, tutoring and course creating. Christina gained her LLB (Hons) in Singapore and her LLM (Hons) in Auckland. She is multilingual in English, Malay/ Bahasa Indonesia, and has conversational knowledge of Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien and French.

Rebecca Chisholm

Rebecca has a strong litigation background, primarily in family law. Her legal work has involved a broad range of family law matters, including parenting matters under the Care of Children Act, domestic violence, relationship property, adoption, paternity and protection of personal and property rights. Rebecca has been an instructor with IPLS since 2013.

Bridget Thomas

Bridget graduated from Canterbury University with a law degree and a BA in history and psychology. She has practised law in a wide range of areas at Lane Neave in Christchurch and Tripp Rolleston & Co in Timaru. More recently she has really enjoyed working at Canterbury University, tutoring legal system and contract law and doing some part time lecturing.

Dolly Brennan

Dolly graduated with LLB(Hons) from the University of Canterbury in 1988.  She has worked as a commercial litigation solicitor with Chapman Tripp, Wellington and Linklaters, London.  She has also tutored at the University of Canterbury.  Dolly is an experienced instructor and joined IPLS in 2010.

Helen Radersma

Helen has been an instructor with IPLS since early 2020. She has an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Auckland. She is also a registered patent attorney (Australia and New Zealand) with a number of years' experience, specialising in chemical and pharmaceutical technologies.  Her experience covers in house and private practice, in New Zealand and overseas. Helen has also worked in general legal practice in a provincial law firm. Helen is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys.

Grant Wilkin

Grant is a Barrister based in Invercargill and has been practicing law since 1986. He has worked for both large and small firms as well as overseas. Grant has taught NZLS Seminars on litigation skills as well as presented seminars on insolvency issues. He is a civil litigation specialist.

Lois Black

Lois studied law at the University of Otago after a career in teaching and educational administration in Queensland, the UK and New Zealand. Lois worked as Research Counsel for the Judges at the North Shore and Waitakere District Courts before commencing private practice in civil litigation and dispute resolution. She is experienced in resolving disputes in a wide range of civil matters but she has a particular interest and expertise in building, estate and trust litigation and dispute resolution. Lois is delighted to combine her love of teaching and legal practice in her role as instructor with IPLS. Lois is a partner in a law firm in Auckland.

 

IPLS and the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE)

The Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) is a not-for-profit organisation, set up by the NZCLE to serve the legal profession in New Zealand. 

They entrust IPLS to ensure lawyers entering the profession are equipped with the skills required to represent clients competently and ethically.

The NZCLE is a statutory body, set up under the Law Practitioners Act, to be responsible for pre-admission education and training for lawyers. You can read more about NZCLE at nzcle.org.nz.

 
 

Career opportunities at IPLS

Would you like to inspire the next generation of lawyers and become an instructor?

The role involves working alongside law graduates to teach them a comprehensive range of practical legal skills so that they can step into their career with confidence.

At IPLS we have a  strong coaching philosophy and a function of the role involves working one-on-one with students.  Join our close-knit, supportive team and play a pivotal role in the next generation of New Zealand’s lawyers.

Key experience required:

  • A minimum of seven years experience in the legal industry

  • Excellent communication and relationship skills

  • Value a flexible work environment

  • Able to respond to the needs of a diverse group of graduates.

If you’re interested in finding out more, please send your CV and cover letter to Bernadette Wilson, National Director.

If you are a student seeking employment please head to  our job board for the latest listings.