Young lawyer was a ‘ray of sunshine’
A young lawyer tragically killed in a crash this month was full of life, intelligence and heart, a court has been told.
Jessica ‘Jess’ Greig died on August 1 when she was travelling with her partner and his 3-year-old son.
Their car and a train crashed at a level crossing on the outskirts of Woodville.
The father was the only survivor. Yesterday, a special Family Court sitting in memory and honour of Greig was held in Hastings, and attended by her friends, colleagues and wha¯ nau.
Judge Peter Callinicos said Greig’s parents should be immensely proud to have raised a person of such calibre.
Who Greig was inevitably reflected the love, support and guidance her wha¯ nau gave her, he said.
It was important to ensure her memory and voice were not lost with the passing of time, Callinicos said.
Maria Hamilton, the president of the Hawke’s Bay branch of the New Zealand Law Society, said it was a ‘‘privilege’’ to know Greig.
Her potential as a lawyer was very clear, as well as her existing abilities in the law profession being obvious, she said.
Greig had maturity and wisdom ‘‘beyond her years’’. She was well travelled, having visited the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and parts of the Pacific, Hamilton said. She also excelled in the sporting field, putting ‘‘full force’’ into anything she put her mind to. ‘‘Jess was a good chick.’’
Barrister Philip Ross, of Cathedral Lane Law, where Greig previously worked, said she was ‘‘tragically taken’’.
She had a ‘‘natural touch for the law’’, he said, and was genuinely good at any ball sport.
Greig, who studied at Otago University, was a ‘‘ray of sunshine’’ in the office, who got on well with her colleagues. She was good at making people feel comfortable, he said. Culture, and her whakapapa, were very important to her. She had practised criminal defence and family court work at Cathedral Lane Law as a law clerk, where she showed an ‘‘immediate aptitude’’.
She was also a wonderful networker, and was never one to miss an opportunity to undertake training, or better herself, Ross said.
Kirsten Monk, of Bay Legal, said Greig had been working with their all-female law firm for two months. She was totally committed to being part of the team, and always had a bright and positive vibe about her, Monk said.
Greig bought a ‘‘new zest’’ to the office. ‘‘It was just who Jess was.’’
Judge Max Courtney said Greig excelled in everything she put her mind to.
Her life was a reminder that no matter what age we are, we should take on new challenges which may come our way, as we do not know what is around the corner, he said. Greig was 26.