Trudi commenced her legal career as a commercial solicitor with Freehills in Sydney in 2000, specialising in commercial contract law particularly in the IT, telecommunications and broadcasting industries. From 2001 to 2004, Trudi worked as a commercial litigator with the firm, representing a wide range of clients involved in disputes that included insurance, competition law, commercial contract, medico-legal issues, broadcasting rights and competition law.

In 2004, Trudi applied for and was offered the firm’s annual secondment position to the Shopfront Youth Legal Centre in Sydney, where she gained valuable experience in the criminal jurisdiction acting for homeless and disadvantaged youth. Having gained this experience, Trudi was inspired to continue working as a criminal defence lawyer and in 2005, she commenced working for the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (CAALAS), based in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia. Trudi’s work with CAALAS involved some unique challenges as it involved travelling to some of Australia’s remotest Aboriginal communities to represent Aboriginal clients facing a wide range of criminal charges from traffic matters to murder.

In 2007, Trudi moved back to Christchurch, where she commenced work as a prosecutor for the New Zealand Police. During her time there, Trudi appeared as a prosecutor in both the summary and indictable jurisdictions and made regular appearances in the Coroner’s Court. Trudi joined Riverlands Chambers in early 2009 and has been practising as a barrister representing clients in criminal, civil, traffic, regulatory and parole board matters since then.

Trudi has a particular interest in NZ Bill of Rights issues and is also a fluent Russian speaker.