Disgraced lawyer pulls pin on his court career

Chris Comeskey says he will miss court work. Photo / Janna Dixon

Banned lawyer Chris Comeskey has called it quits on his courtroom career.

He will not return to law after his nine-month suspension, planning instead to reinvent himself as a "forensic crime consultant" - a cross between a private investigator and a lawyer.

In his first interview since admitting Law Society misconduct charges in July, Mr Comeskey said he had enjoyed his 13-year legal career but would not return to the criminal bar.

"I was getting a bit fed up with law. Law is hugely competitive, rather than collegial. People take more pleasure in your downfall rather than your rise."

He said he was not giving legal advice during his suspension, but he was well qualified to be a crime consultant because of his experience as a defence lawyer and a senior detective.

"I've been getting a lot of calls from clients to review disclosure files, prepare evidence briefs, to prepare the file for trial. I can't give legal advice to clients, obviously, but I've been busy.

"It's sort of a hybrid between what a lawyer and a private investigator would do."

Mr Comeskey was suspended after he pleaded guilty to three misconduct charges laid by the Law Society, which wanted to have him struck off as a lawyer.

He admitted failing to act appropriately as defence counsel for a client, incorrect billing to the Legal Services Agency for the same client and also misleading the Court of Appeal.

A fourth charge laid after he criticised the judiciary was withdrawn.

The lawyer famous for high-profile cases was in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

"At the end of the day, you can make errors," said Mr Comeskey. "I was never big on administration in my practice. I'd physically never done a bill in more than 10 years.

"I just try to accept this is the position I find myself in. Life goes on and I've got to get on with it."

He believed the suspension was harsh and he had considered an appeal. "But an appeal just raises the whole thing again."

A guilty plea from Waiouru war medal thief James Kapa last month also saved Mr Comeskey a stint in the witness box.

He was instrumental in brokering the return of the 96 medals, but a High Court judge rejected his claim of lawyer-client privilege and ruled that he had to give evidence against the thieves.

While not mourning the end of his legal career, Mr Comeskey said he would miss the job.

"I enjoyed it immensely and was always interested in having a ding-dong battle to advance my client's case.

"But I guess I never knew when to pull back."