People
Who we are
Zoe Reid, BA LLB
Principal
I am a barrister and solicitor with over 18 years of legal experience.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Auckland in 2003, followed by a Bachelor of Laws in 2006.
My legal career began at the corporate law firm MinterEllisonRuddWatts. However, by 2009, I felt drawn to a more client-focused practice and joined my father, Chris Reid, in his well-established criminal law firm. Working alongside him was an invaluable opportunity to learn from his extensive experience.
In 2011, I became the principal of the practice, with Chris continuing in a part-time consultancy role.
Since 2009, I have dedicated my practice exclusively to drink driving and traffic law. As a specialist in this field, I have significant experience representing clients in the District Court and handling appeals in the High Court and Court of Appeal. You can view examples of my successful results here.
Beyond my legal practice, I regularly present seminars on drink driving and traffic law, including for the Auckland District Law Society* and Legalwise. I’m also instructed by other lawyers to provide written legal opinions or appear in court on their behalf.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my 13-year-old daughter and our ever-growing collection of pets!
*Now known as the the Law Association.
Chris Reid, LLB
Consultant
I have over 40 years of experience in criminal and traffic law. I grew up close to my cousin, David Lange, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and followed in his footsteps by earning a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland in 1972. I began my legal career as a court lawyer from David’s law office, setting the foundation for a career that has taken me through all levels of New Zealand’s court system.
For many years, I worked closely with Sir Peter Williams QC on a number of high-profile cases. One particularly memorable case involved defending a police officer wrongly accused of rape and perverting the course of justice. The corrupt senior officer who had brought the charges refused to testify, unwilling to face cross-examination by the great Peter Williams QC. The officer Peter and I represented was acquitted of all charges, while the senior officer who who initiated the false prosecution was later imprisoned.
Alongside my criminal law practice, I’ve become widely recognised as an authority in drink driving and traffic law. I was a long-standing presenter at New Zealand Law Society and LexisNexis seminars, and I’ve contributed to shaping key legal developments. One of my most significant cases was Attorney-General v Ōtāhuhu District Court and Brown {2001} 3 NZLR 740, which I argued in the Court of Appeal alongside Grant Illingworth KC. The outcome led to important changes in drink driving law, including a requirement for all evidential breath testing devices to have certificates of compliance. It also confirmed a motorist’s right to request a blood test, regardless of the result of their evidential breath test.
I now work part-time as a consultant for Zoe. In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, fishing and spending time with my granddaughter.