Bloem Law named a Top New Zealand Specialist Firm for 2026!
We’re thrilled to share that Bloem Law has been named one of the Top Specialist Firms for 2026 by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer, recognised for our work in criminal law. We’re one of just 73 firms across Australia and New Zealand to receive this distinction this year and the only New Zealand firm to be recognised, and for a firm that has only been trading in its current form since April 2025, it’s a moment we’re genuinely proud of.
A firm built around one thing: criminal defence
Bloem Law does one thing, and we do it deliberately. We’re a firm dedicated solely to criminal defence which is a model that’s still relatively rare in New Zealand’s criminal law sector, with most lawyers in this space practising as sole barristers. Led by director Anoushka Bloem, who has practised for over 20 years, our team brings together senior and junior lawyers, graduates, law clerks and a dedicated administration team, all working under one roof toward the same goal.
Working this way means our lawyers get to take on matters that genuinely match their experience as they grow, while we gain real efficiencies across how we run the practice day to day. It also means we can build lasting relationships with social service agencies and community networks , particularly around self-development programmes and bail accommodation for our clients, because a good legal outcome is rarely the whole story.
What the past year looked like
Over the 2025 review period, we’re proud to say our team achieved outstanding results across every major jury trial we ran, in both the District Court and the High Court. It was a demanding year of work; murder cases, drug importation matters, Court of Appeal appearances, sexual violation cases and family violence matters all came through our doors.
Behind every one of those matters is the same approach: taking the time to really understand each client, their background, their history, the circumstances that brought them to us, and the case law that matters most to their defence. We also make sure our clients are prepared for the realities of custody and give them secure online access to their own disclosure, so they’re never left in the dark about their own case.
Why we work the way we do
Criminal defence has been described as the emergency department of the justice system, and honestly, that feels about right. It’s a sector under real pressure with heavy caseloads, a shrinking pool of lawyers choosing to specialise in this area, and constant exposure to difficult, often traumatic material. That’s exactly why we built Bloem Law around a team, not a collection of individuals working alone. Sharing the load across court appearances, matter preparation, and day-to-day support means no one is carrying it by themselves and we back that up with wellbeing sessions run by a psychologist we’ve brought into the practice for exactly that purpose.
Behind the scenes
We’re also investing in the tools that let our lawyers spend more time on the work that matters most including researching AI tools to support more efficient ways of working.
“The journey of a criminal defence lawyer is not an easy one. Sleepless nights, endless research, dedicated commitment to finding the best solution, knowing that clients’ futures are in our hands… all this becomes worthwhile when we achieve outcomes and know that we’re a part of our clients’ transformational journeys. This is something to be proud of,” says Ms Bloem.
About the recognition
To even be considered, firms needed to draw at least half their revenue from a single practice area reflecting real specialisation, not just a listed service. Nominations opened on 9 February and closed on 6 March 2026, and entrants were judged against four things: the strength and complexity of the matters they’d handled, their longevity and depth of experience in the field, how they looked after clients along the way, and any standout results or moments of real innovation.
Bloem Law thanks its team, clients and the wider sector for their continued trust that this recognition reflects.