Our team
John Moroney
Senior Associate
Before becoming a lawyer, John had a number of different careers - a journalist, a jockey and a business owner.
John graduated from the University of Waikato and was a Barrister for many years before becoming a Senior Associate at Thode Utting & Co.
He has specialised in criminal defence work since he began practicing.
John undertakes Legal Aid work and is categorised to undertake PAL 3 matters and Parole hearings.
John has also regularly been appointed by the Court as Stand-by Counsel or Amicus to act for those who are unrepresented.
In his spare time, John enjoys a good movie, good company and can be found pool side all summer. John is known around the office for being a 'straight talker' and can give as good he gets!
021 682 696
Sumudu Thode
Principal
Sumudu graduated from the University of Auckland with conjoint degrees in Law and Commerce.
Sumudu specialises in criminal defence work and is approved to undertake Legal Aid work for PAL 4 matters (including cases where the maximum sentence is life imprisonment), Parole Hearings and takes calls on the Auckland and Northland Police Detention Legal Assistance (PDLA) list.
Sumudu is the Vice President of the Criminal Bar Association of New Zealand, a committee member of the New Zealand Law Society Courthouse Committee, a member of the Legal Aid Selection Committee, a Board Member at Tāne Ora/Man Alive and the legal advisor and client complaints officer for RAW (Reclaim Another Woman) an organisation assisting wāhine at the Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility.
She is also the co-host of That's Just Criminal podcast - sponsored by the Criminal Bar Association and LexisNexis.
In 2022 and 2023, Sumudu was recognised by NZ Lawyer magazine as a top female legal talent in Aotearoa.
Sumudu is known around the office for having far too many pairs of colourful shoes! In her spare time, Sumudu enjoys spending time with her family and running/exercising.
027 67 3131 6
Gerry Skinner
Senior Associate
Before becoming a lawyer, Gerry was in the New Zealand Police for over 20 years. His experience as a Police Officer, Sergeant and Prosecutor is invaluable in his now role as a defence lawyer.
Gerry practised from Puhoi, Warkworth and North Shore, before moving to the Far North.
Gerry is categorised to take PAL1 matters through Legal Aid and is a duty lawyer at both Whangārei and Kaitaia District Courts.
In his spare time, Gerry can be found at the Puhoi Pub, on his farm in the Far North or playing tricks on his gorgeous grandchildren.
Gerry is based from our Whangārei office but also undertakes work in Kaikohe and Kaitaia District Courts.
021 532 444
Jarred Scott
Senior Associate
Jarred graduated from Auckland University with conjoint degrees in Law and Arts and then a Masters degree in Law.
Jarred initially practiced as a civil litigator in Auckland and then as a Crown Prosecutor in Whangārei, running jury trials for serious sexual, violence or drug offending. That experience showed him how to incisively respond to a prosecution case.
Jarred joined Thode Utting & Co. in 2019 and has specialised in criminal defence work since then.
He is approved to undertake Legal Aid work up to PAL 3 and is also on the Police Detention Legal Assistance phone list in Te Tai Tokerau.
Jarred also specialises in Appeal work and is able to accept appeal matters in the High Court or the Court of Appeal.
When he's not fighting for clients in Court, Jarred is devoted to his young family. Any time away from them, he spends actually fighting - either in a ring or on the mats.
021 991 057
Wilson Main
Lawyer
Wilson graduated from the University of Auckland with conjoint degrees in Law and Arts.
Wilson started working part-time as a law clerk at Thode Utting & Co. in 2017 when he was at Law School and now works full-time as a Solicitor. During his time as a law clerk, Wilson had a taste of what it's like to work in criminal defence law.
Wilson accepts PAL2 assignments and regularly appears before the Parole Board.
In his spare time, Wilson enjoys exercising, hiking, reading and spending time with his family.
021 088 15461
Matthew Creamer
Lawyer
Matthew graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Laws.
He has been working as a junior criminal defence lawyer since 2022, following a two-year stint as a High Court Registrar. He started at Thode Utting & Co at the beginning of 2024.
Matthew is categorised to accept PAL1 assignments and regularly appears on a broad range of matters in the Auckland and Whangārei District Courts.
Matthew has a background in health promotion and public health, with his previous work in not-for-profit organisations being particularly focused on removing barriers to accessing healthcare, housing and education for marginalised and vulnerable communities. Matthew now brings this same commitment to our clients, with a unique understanding of the way some of our most disadvantaged communities interact with the criminal justice process.
Off the clock, Matthew is likely preparing for book-club, enjoying the sunset from his balcony or sending memes of questionable quality to Sumudu.
022 182 2843
Kathryn Elliman
Practice Manager
Originally from the valleys of South Wales in the UK, Kathryn graduated from the Swansea Metropolitan University with a BA honours degree in Business & Finance.
After spending her OE travelling around New Zealand and Australia, she returned to New Zealand in 2007 and has called it home ever since.
Kathryn has worked solely for criminal defence barristers since arriving in New Zealand and has gained an in-depth knowledge of our criminal justice system and court processes.
She joined Thode Utting as our Practice Manager in early 2021 and has brought to our practice her expert knowledge and sound systems experience.
In her down time, Kathryn loves spending time with her family and close friends, whether it be entertaining at home, days spent at her local beach or socialising out and about. She is passionate about food and wine and has travelled extensively within New Zealand and also overseas.
09 444 5335
Toni Corby-Brown
Office Administrator
Toni is from Ngāti Whātua on her mother’s side and Ngāti Maniapoto on her dad’s side. She was raised in the Hokianga and is part of our Te Tai Tokerau administration team.
Toni works Mondays and Fridays.
Before coming to Thode Utting & Co, Toni was as a Corrections
Officer in the Intervention Support Unit and then a Case Manager in the Te Ara Māori Pathway team at Northland Region Corrections Facility in Kaikohe.
Toni is also a board member of the YWCA of Whangārei and YWCA Aotearoa.
In her spare time, Toni enjoys coaching and umpiring netball, volunteering and spending time with her whānau.
09 444 5335
Tanya Grant
Office Administrator
Ko Ruapehu te maunga
Ko Whanganui te awa
Ko Aotea te waka
Ko Ngāti Hekeawai te hapu
Ko Ngāti Haua te iwi
Ko Wharauroa, ko Mana Ariki, ko Ngapuwaiwaha ngā marae
Ko Tanya Grant tōku ingoa.
Tanya joined Thode Utting & Co in 2019 as an office administrator.
She has over 10 years experience working in medical administration and assisting with publishing medico-legal reports.
In her spare time, Tanya enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her whānau.
Tanya assists our lawyers with keeping on top of their Ministry of Justice obligations and invoicing.
09 444 5335
Daniel Tothill
Law Clerk
Daniel (Dan) joined us in 2024 as a law clerk, while he completes his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with a minor in Forensic Psychology. Currently, Dan works part-time while he continues his studies.
Before joining Thode Utting & Co, Dan worked across a number of law enforcement and judicial administration roles, including working at the New Zealand Police, the Jury Trial Team at the Ministry of Justice, Court Registry Officer and as an Issuing Officer.
Dan believes that everyone deserves a fair go and is dedicated to ensuring accessibility, fairness and integrity within the legal system.
Outside of law, Dan spent eight years as a professional skydiving instructor and seven years in the music industry. His diverse background has given him a unique perspective, balancing precision and discipline with creativity and adaptability that continue to serve him well in his legal career.
09 444 5335
Kathryn Elliman
Practice Manager
Originally from the valleys of South Wales in the UK, Kathryn graduated from the Swansea Metropolitan University with a BA honours degree in Business & Finance.
After spending her OE travelling around New Zealand and Australia, she returned to New Zealand in 2007 and has called it home ever since.
Kathryn has worked solely for criminal defence barristers since arriving in New Zealand and has gained an in-depth knowledge of our criminal justice system and court processes.
She joined Thode Utting as our Practice Manager in early 2021 and has brought to our practice her expert knowledge and sound systems experience.
In her down time, Kathryn loves spending time with her family and close friends, whether it be entertaining at home, days spent at her local beach or socialising out and about. She is passionate about food and wine and has travelled extensively within New Zealand and also overseas.
09 444 5335
Samara Court
Law Clerk
Samara joined us as Law Clerk in 2025 and works from our Albany office.
Samara is a fourth year Bachelor of Laws student at the University of Auckland, with a strong passion for criminal law.
Throughout her studies, Samara has been actively involved in the Equal Justice Project, contributing to the Pro Bono and Alliance teams, conducting research and helping to promote access to justice. She also supports her peers through her role as a mentor to younger law students in the Women in Law Association.
In her free time she likes to go on long walks, experiment with new recipes and go for a night out with her friends!
09 444 5335
Morgan Wilkins
Law Clerk
Morgan also joined us as a Law Clerk in 2025.
She is a fourth-year Bachelor of Laws student at the University of Auckland with a strong interest in pursuing a career in criminal law.
Her role at Thode Utting has provided, and continues to provide, valuable insight into the inner workings of the criminal justice system, deepening both her knowledge and passion for the field.
When she's not working or studying, Morgan enjoys going to the gym, catching up with friends, cooking and getting led astray by Sumudu's children.
09 444 5335
