Catherine Sumpter

Catherine was born in France and is of French West Indian descent. She moved to New Zealand in 2002 after spending 15 years in the United Kingdom and Sydney as a teacher of modern languages. Catherine graduated from the University of Auckland with her Law Degree and was admitted to the Bar in 2007. She also holds an English Degree and a Postgraduate Degree in French Linguistics from the University of Tours in France.

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She has played a very active role in the French community particularly in Auckland. Catherine is one of two approved Legal Counsel to the French Embassy in Wellington, a role she has held since 2009. From 2011 to 2014 she was appointed by ministerial decree as a Foreign Trade Adviser (Conseillère du Commerce Extérieur) to the French Embassy in Wellington on legal issues. She has been a member of the Board of the French New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Inc. since 2011 and acted as Vice-President from 2014 to 2017. She is also a member as emerging leader of the Super Diverse Women organisation.

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Catherine has developed a significant legal practice with French-speaking clients based in New Zealand and abroad and strong ties with the private sector and business councils in New Caledonia and French Polynesia. She practises in the areas of Commercial Law, Estate Administration, Property Law and Relationship Property. She has a special interest in advising foreign investors (private or corporate) wanting to do business in New Zealand. In the past, she has worked at firms specialising in general civil litigation and franchising.