Bush lawyer is a common name of a group of climbing blackberry plants (subgenus Micranthobatus of the genus Rubus) that are found in New Zealand, many of them rampant forest vines.

There are five native species of bush lawyer in New Zealand, all endemic: Rubus australis, R. cissoides, R. parvus, R. schmideloides and R.

[3] The colloquial English name is often said to have been given because once this thorny plant becomes attached to you it will not let you go until it has drawn blood:[4] Some overseas trampers might not understand or appreciate the common name of Rubus cissoides, but North Americans certainly do.

The backward-pointing prickles on the stems help the vine climb to the open canopy of a forest but also snare unwary trampers who stray from the track.

You'll immediately know bush lawyer when you encounter it as the thorns will painfully scrape across your bare thighs or arms, quickly drawing blood.