Who are we?
D&S Law was built on trust, collaboration and a commitment to advocate for our clients at every opportunity.
As a boutique firm, we have a wealth of specialist knowledge in immigration and family law. We focus on our specialties and are known as some of the leading lawyers in our industry. As a focused and dedicated team, we have the enthusiasm and the time to give each case the attention it deserves, unlike larger firms. We prioritise the quality of our work and the relationship with our clients.
As lawyers, we can help our clients with the entire process from the initial applications to any reviews or appeals to courts and tribunals. Not only can we assist with ensuring your application is presented to Immigration New Zealand or the Family Court in the best way possible but also make sure that the right legal processes have been followed.
Aside from working with clients on cases, Stewart and Pooja also advocate for changes in the industry from pushing immigration and surrogacy law reforms to taking complaints to the Human Rights Commission, Ombudsman and United Nations Committees. We understand that the responsibility of a lawyer does not end with our clients but extends to ensuring that the law and its application is constantly improved.
The Team
Stewart Dalley
Stewart has a warm and approachable manner and advocates strongly for his clients.
He has experience in representing clients at the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, Family Court, District Court and High Court. Stewart is the Chair of the Auckland District Law Society’s Immigration and Refugee Law Committee. He is experienced in all aspects of immigration and refugee law, assisting clients with complex visa applications, deportations, humanitarian appeals, and refugee claims.
His wealth of experience in the trade unions in the UK, coupled with his knowledge of immigration and employment matters saw him selected by the government to be a member of the Migrant Worker Exploitation Consultation Group which recommended various measures to protect migrant workers in the workplace.
Stewart is an industry expert on the law relating to human infertility, assisted reproductive technology, and family creation. Stewart frequently advises a broad range of clients and fertility clinics on embryo/egg/sperm donations, domestic and international surrogacy, and adoption. Stewart has three children with his male partner through surrogacy, he, therefore, has both real life and professional experience when it comes to surrogacy, setting him apart from the rest.
As a gay man, Stewart is a keen advocate for the rainbow community. He was the first to obtain joint adoption orders for same-sex de facto couples. Stewart also helped a lesbian couple make history in New Zealand when he successfully argued the case that two women can both be named as mothers on their children’s birth certificates. Stewart also regularly advises Rainbow Youth and Rainbow Path.
Pooja Sundar
Pooja is an enthusiastic and friendly lawyer who enjoys getting to know her clients and advocating them.
Pooja holds a Master of Law (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Auckland. She is a legal aid registered lawyer, with experience in advising in all aspects of immigration law, including visas, residence appeals, and refugee and protection claims. Pooja has significant experience in the Family Court.
Pooja’s passion for legal representation is coupled with a deep interest in human rights legislature, international criminal law, and refugee case law. She has successfully been involved in many cases involving complex issues across domestic and international spheres. Pooja also advocates for victims of domestic violence in the immigration and family law fields.
Pooja is fluent in the Tamil language and available for new cases across the spectrum of immigration law, as well as a range of litigation and general practice legal work carried out at D&S Law.
As a migrant, Pooja has a lived understanding of cultures and traditions outside of New Zealand and Western practices. This gives her a unique insight into the client’s histories, lives and traditions allowing her to present a fully rounded case.
Pooja has also assisted in novel and interesting cases including helping an overseas citizen obtain New Zealand citizenship through DNA testing leading back generations.
