She has assisted those impacted by poverty, addiction, mental health challenges
The New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o Te Ture (NZBA) has bestowed the 2026 Access to Justice Award on Portia principal lawyer and family law specialist Erin Ebborn.
Ebborn has acted for individuals impacted by poverty, addiction, mental health challenges and family violence. She has worked in family law legal aid for 28 years.
She partnered with women’s refuges to develop the VLaw urgent violence portal, which grants vulnerable people safe and quick access to legal advice while in a refuge. The judges highlighted how she has often been the final avenue of support for clients.
Moreover, Ebborn has educated over 3,000 community workers on family violence at no cost. She has mentored and trained graduate lawyers as well. The judging panel concluded that her contribution to the legal profession “showed an exceptional and sustained commitment to access to justice, both through her direct work with vulnerable clients and her efforts to strengthen the capability of those supporting them”.
Ebborn said she was honoured to be recognised among the mana wāhine who were previous recipients of the Access to Justice Award.
“Portia has been dedicated to making the legal system more accessible, sustainable, and fair. We believe that everyone deserves the right to representation in the New Zealand Courts, and where needed, barriers should be removed to make strong advice and counsel available to everyone”, she said in an NZBA media release.
In addition to her work with Portia, Ebborn is the director of Ebborn Law Ltd., where she advises on disputes about parenting, relationship property, protection orders, paternity matters and matters involving child, youth and family. She also logged stints at Layburn Hodgins, Cuningham Taylor Barristers & Solicitors, and Purnell Creighton, according to LinkedIn.
She obtained her LLB at the University of Canterbury and holds a post-graduate certificate in public policy from The London School of Economics and Political Science.
The Access to Justice Award acknowledges members of the legal profession who have contributed significantly to bolstering access to justice in Aotearoa. Ebborn received the award at a reception in Auckland held after the NZBA Bar Symposium last Thursday 3 September. LexisNexis sponsored both the award and the reception.
Last year, the award was given to Sonja Cooper.
