KEY POINTS:
In a transformation akin to Clark Kent and his alter ego Superman, Clint Rickards walked into the Auckland High Court last week looking for all the world like an undercover cop trying not to be noticed and, moments later, became, a vaguely familiar character in lawyer's wig and
gown.
Gone were the recognisable dome head and dark suit.
In their place were the hired trappings of admission to the bar, a pale curly wig and long black gown.
The irony of the transformation was not lost on Rickards who, for two years, was a familiar visitor to the High Court as a defendant in the dock.
He sat through two rape trials - one for the alleged rape of Louise Nicholas - and was acquitted of both in 2006 and 2007.
But he lost his job as assistant police commissioner and was forever linked with his co-accused former policeman Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum who were already serving prison sentences for a pack rape of a woman in Mt Maunganui in 1989.
This time at the High Court he was nowhere near the dock. Afterwards he said he was "over the moon" to be a lawyer and it was "great" to sitting in the High Court in a very different seat.
"Hey, but you know what? If you look at it, I have been everywhere. I've been in the police, I have been a witness, I have been a defendant and now I am a lawyer."
For Rickards, his family, whanau, friends and supporters, the court ceremony was emotional. After the ceremony there were the sounds of waiata and karakia from family members and a speech by mate Willie Jackson.
Justice David Baragwanath told Rickards that as an independent barrister he would need to stand up for his clients even when that person was not popular.
Every New Zealander had a right to legal representation, he said, and urged Rickards "to do right to all manner of people without fear or favour".
Rickards said later "they were excellent words."
When it was time for barrister Chris Morris, who moved Rickards' admission to the bar, to hand the newcomer his admission document, Morris quipped: "This is your licence to print money but sadly it hasn't worked for me."
Then it was home to the Rickards' family home for a slap-up lunch of sandwiches, ham, chicken, mince pies and strawberries. Tea was served in delicate china cups.
"We're playing ladies today," Rickards' partner Tania Eden said.
Rickards' eldest daughter brought out a chocolate cake bearing the word 'Congratulations'. He beamed as everyone sang a round of For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.
The celebration was for different reasons to the one 28 years ago when, as an 18-year-old, he was sworn in as a police cadet. Much water, some of it murky, has passed under the bridge.
For those who doubt him and for those who wrote submissions to the Auckland District Law Society opposing his admission to the bar, Rickards said: "We have moved on, that's all I can say. At the end of the day people are entitled to their view but read the evidence and move on... the priority for me is my family and to give back to the community."
But there were times, sitting in a cell and during the gruelling months in court, when it was impossible for Rickards to move on.
He will never forget the people who stuck by him for five years - in particular his lawyer, John Haigh QC.
"John Haigh has been a rock to me, to us, a great mentor and a fantastic role model. He is part of the reason why I wanted to do law... you know, that man epitomises integrity and honesty."
Rickards said he now wanted to help his people, specialising in the Treaty of Waitangi negotiations, employment work and helping those who are disadvantaged.
"Whanau rates," Eden quipped.
Rickards knows there will be times when he can't choose who he represents. "At the end of the day you are a professional and sometimes there are some jobs I suppose which a lot of people will shy away from."
And what about a rape trial? Before he can answer Eden interrupted with "No!"
Rickards: "I would like to do criminal law but is a rape trial a pressing thing for me? The answer is no."
And a last word from Eden: "At the end of the day it's the people who choose to come to Clint... if a woman came for help, I think that Clint would help them."
