Leonard (Len) Andrew Andersen KC.
Leonard (Len) Andersen KC has died after a short illness, in Dunedin on 16 September 2023 aged 71 years.
Mr Andersen KC was a much-admired member of Te Kaupeka Tātai Ture Faculty of Law at Otago. He was an alumnus, colleague, and generous mentor.
He taught part-time for the Faculty for more than 30 years, providing a Forensic Law paper in Summer School and an Advocacy course, which he was teaching in this most recent semester.
Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Shelley Griffiths, recalls: “He was always keen to note when those who had done the course began to shine in the Courts - ‘one of mine’ he would say to me.”
Professor Griffiths says Mr Andersen KC will be greatly missed, he was a good friend to the Faculty and attended many lectures and events; including being an enthusiastic participant in the 150 years of Law at Otago celebrations earlier this year.
Mr Andersen KC practised law in Dunedin from 1991. He was a former president of the Otago District Law Society and of the New Zealand Criminal Bar Association. He served on the New Zealand Bar Association and the Council of the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) .
Mr Andersen KC shared chambers with Dr Royden Somerville KC, former Chancellor of the University of Otago.
In a statement shared by the New Zealand Law Society Otago Branch on Mr Andersen KC’s death, Dr Somerville says:
“Len was a stalwart of the southern Bar. He was well-known for his industry, the wide range of matters he appeared in, his indefatigable approach when advancing a client's case, and his passion for advocacy. He was a highly valued member of the legal profession, and a generous mentor of many young practitioners. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues and friends.”