Practising in family law and civil litigation, Adele Isaacs — ‘the Aligned Barrister’ — brings structure to complexity and direction to difficult moments. Her work is defined by careful preparation, sharp strategic judgment, and a composed presence in challenging disputes.
Adele represents clients throughout New Zealand. Her early training under three King’s Counsel led to regular appearances in the High Court, Family Court, and as junior counsel in the Court of Appeal.
Subsequent years of general practice as a senior solicitor in Dunedin mean Adele has broad legal experience grounded in her clients' reality.
She welcomes enquiries from clients and counsel seeking skilled and cost-effective legal support and dispute resolution.
A. Brown KC -
Barrister
"Adele is an impressive young barrister. She has very sharp intellect and I have consistently noticed how quick she is to pick up legal arguments and to suggest new initiatives. She is also very resourceful and a self-starter. These are seriously valuable skills. [...] I really rate Adele as a lawyer"
R. Russell -
Former Colleague
"Adele’s sharp legal skills, approachable nature, and unwavering focus on clients always stood out. She does what she says she will do, in a timely manner, and her integrity and reliability made her a trusted colleague. I truly miss working with her — and anyone fortunate enough to have Adele fighting for them is in very good hands indeed."
Legal Services
Family Law Services
Support across the full spectrum of family law matters, including separation, relationship property, parenting disputes, care of children, guardianship, and domestic violence matters. Clients receive clear, practical advice and strong representation in the Family Court, with a focus on achieving stable, workable outcomes for families throughout Dunedin, Mosgiel, Otago, and Southland.
Estate Disputes and Welfare Issues
Including challenges to wills, Family Protection Act claims, Testamentary Promises Act claims, executor and trustee conflicts, and disputes between beneficiaries.
Assistance is also available for PPPR Act applications, including the appointment of welfare guardians and property managers, disputes about capacity, and urgent decisions involving vulnerable adults.
Civil litigation and Employment Law
Civil litigation covers a wide range of disputes. Support is available for contract disputes, debt recovery, negligence claims, property and commercial disagreements, breach of duty, and conflicts involving individuals, businesses, or organisations.
Support for employment disputes with clear advice, and practical solutions for both employees and employers.
Junior Barrister to Senior Counsel
Senior counsel benefit from my ability to take a dispute from raw material to a structured, litigation‑ready brief. My role is built around disciplined preparation, sharp analysis, and the ability to anticipate needs. The aim is to remove friction, maintain momentum, and ensure every step of the process is supported by clear, accurate, and timely work.
Accredited by JustFund.
Just Fund is a financial service designed specifically for individuals involved in family law proceedings, who may struggle to cover legal costs upfront. It offers a loan and litigation funding if you’re going through separation, to help pay legal bills and disbursements, which is then repaid from the property settlement at the conclusion of your case. This means you don’t need to worry about immediate fees, allowing you to focus on your matter, and most importantly, your family. Please ask for more information if you're interested in using this service for help with your legal fees.
Get in Touch
please email:
adele@barristersnz.co.nz
or txt to request a call:
+ 64 21 140 9619
