Podcast: Confessions of a District Court Judge – Rosemary Riddell
Capstone Business Talks is a podcast about the better ways to work and to grow a profitable business.
In this episode, we spoke with retired Judge Rosemary Riddell about her book “To Be Fair: Confessions of a District Court Judge“. In her book, Judge Riddell shared stories and insights about her life on the bench.
After juggling law school whilst raising 3 children with her husband Mike, Judge Riddell only became a lawyer at the age of 40. Judge Riddell was appointed as a Judge of the District Court in 2006 and she served in the Hamilton Court until retirement.
Please join us for our discussions on the following topics:
- Why did you become a lawyer and what was that journey like of you?
- How did you become a Judge?
- Can you give us an example of a day in the life of a Judge?
- Why did you write your book “To Be Fair”?
- After you became a Judge, what was something you wish you had known when you were a litigator?
- What are 3 characteristics an effective litigator must possess?
- Some of my Chinese clients have fears that New Zealand Judges may have biases against counsel who are not Pakeha, what would you say to people with such concerns?
- How could someone become a Judge?

Kenneth Sun
Partner & CEO
Kenneth is the founding partner of Capstone Law. Kenneth has a MPhil from the University of Cambridge, and he was also awarded the prestigious Dean’s Academic Achievement Award for graduating from the University of Auckland law school in the top 5% of his class. Kenneth has worked at some of the best law firms in the country before starting Capstone Law.
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