CO-CHAIR

Anna is Associate Professor and Convenor of Student Experience at the Faculty of Law, University of Otago. She was first introduced to the growing “mindfulness in law” movement while teaching at Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, and has since developed a personal practice. She has used mindfulness as a teaching tool for several years, and regularly hears from students about the benefits of in-class breathwork and contemplative learning. Anna has studied mindfulness practices at the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. In 2023 she was awarded a national Ako Aotearoa tertiary teaching excellence award in recognition of her mindfulness-based pedagogy.

CO-CHAIR

Bridget has been in legal practice – mainly litigation – for almost 15 years. She discovered mindfulness and meditation while working in a busy legal job, in a bustling city, overseas. Bridget maintains a mindfulness practice and values the stillness and clarity it can bring to her work and daily life. She is particularly interested in the possibilities for relaxation, concentration and compassion that mindfulness can offer to people working in the law.

JUDICIAL CLERK LIAISON

Anna is the Clerk to the Principal Family Court Judge in Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington and a graduate from the University of Otago (Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts in Politics and English). Anna used meditation, breathwork and yoga as mindfulness tools throughout her time at university and has continued this mindfulness practice into her career. Anna has a particular interest in mental health and disability advocacy and has found mindfulness to be an essential tool for improving her mental well-being. Anna values the peace and stillness that mindfulness provides and aims to help other new law graduates or Judges’ Clerks around Aotearoa use mindfulness to cope with the stressful nature of their work.