About Joon
Joon is an expert in criminal law, traffic law, tax prosecution and getting clients discharged without conviction. He works in all Court across New Zealand and is one of the four directors at Pōhutukawa Chambers.
Joon has over 15 years of criminal law experience. Joon has previously worked as a senior prosecutor for the New Zealand Police, prosecutor for the Inland Revenue and as a lawyer at the Public Defence Service. Joon has also worked for Parliamentary Services working with Members of Parliament and have ran several businesses and charities. Joon also works as a Tenancy Adjudicator for the Tenancy Tribunal.
Joon prides in providing clients with the best results possible – whether it be through a jury trial, Judge-alone trial, discharges without a conviction or negotiating the charges down. Joon also regularly appears for appeals at the High Court and also at the Court of Appeal.
Joon is multi-cultural. He was born in Seoul, grew up on the North Shore and have lived in the CBD, Māngere and west Auckland. Joon has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Auckland and a Bachelor of Science degree with specialisation in computer science. Joon has also spent time studying at the Seoul National University. Joon was also a prize-winner for Te Reo Māori for three consecutive years during his time at Rangitoto College.
joon@joon.co.nz
+64 21 410 884
Horim Shin
Horim was admitted to the Bar in 2021 and has a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland. He is currently a junior barrister under Joon Yi and holds PAL 2 listing.
Horim can assist you in navigating the criminal system and give you advice that is practical and effective. He is multicultural and can relate to a wide range of backgrounds.
Like Joon, he is also bilingual and fluent in Korean. He supports Joon in a variety of criminal matters – from traffic to fraud and robbery – to bring you the most favourable outcome possible.
horim@joon.co.nz
+64 21 904 257
Hyeonkyeong Kim
Hyeonkyeong is a junior barrister at Pōhutukawa Chambers working for Joon Yi barrister. She was admitted to the Bar in 2024 and is fluent in both English and Korean, Hyeonkyeong brings a bilingual perspective to her work. She was born in South Korea and has pursued her education in three other countries, including Fiji, the UK, and New Zealand.
With a wealth of diverse experiences, Hyeonkyeong has honed her skills through notable internships at Porsche Korea and Henkel Korea.
Her passion for law, coupled with a global mindset, positions her as an asset in navigating the complexities of criminal justice system.
hyeonkyeong@joon.co.nz
+64 27 434 3066
Amy Lim
Amy is a junior barrister, with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) conjoint with a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland. She had been working as a law clerk previously and played a vital role in supporting Joon and the team with various administrative tasks, including document preparation, legal research, and analysis, all of which support the core of the team’s work.
Fluent in both English and Korean, Amy is able to assist clients from diverse backgrounds, fostering effective communication and understanding.
With a strong eagerness to learn more about criminal law and a natural curiosity, Amy’s contributions are helpful in achieving the preferred outcome for clients and their whānau.
amy@joon.co.nz
+64 27 431 1968
Maxine Balani
Maxine is the Legal Secretary and Office Manager for Joon Yi Barrister. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice from AUT and has been working in criminal law administration since 2021. With several years of experience in administrative work, she supports the team by managing daily tasks, maintaining client communication, and overseeing legal documents.
Born and raised in West Auckland, Maxine has a passion for dance and performing, which helps her stay creative and active. She also grew up immersed in the Filipino basketball community and enjoys watching basketball tournaments.
Maxine strives to maintain a healthy work-life balance, recognising the importance of dedicating time to both her professional responsibilities and personal interests to stay well-rounded and motivated.
maxine@joon.co.nz
+64 27 2655 095