Buddle Findlay regularly supports public and private sector clients in employment litigation. The firm is also well-versed in advising on workplace investigations, restructurings, collective bargaining and pension scheme matters. The practice is overseen by Peter Chemis, Sherridan Cook, Hamish Kynaston  and Susan Rowe. Chemis is regularly instructed by government departments whilst Rowe, Cook and Kynaston are seasoned litigators. Shaun Brookes is experienced in health and safety matters. Mere King became a judge of the Employment Court in August 2023.

Advising a suite of government bodies as well as private employers, Dundas Street is well-versed in employment litigation, collective bargaining and independent investigations. The firm is also expanding its expertise in tikanga within employment law. Susan Hornsby-Geluk oversees the team, specialising in dispute resolution within an employment context. Blair Scotland is highly experienced in public sector matters. Ros Webby is also noted for her assistance in independent investigations. Chloe Luscombe is regularly instructed by clients in the health care sector. Megan Vant specialises in pay-related matters.

Based in Auckland, LangtonHudson, Lawyers is a boutique employment firm specialises in corporate-related matters. The firm is well-versed in litigation representation, appearing before the Employment Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Stephen Langton, a specialist in fiduciary duty and restraints of trade issues, spearheads the practice. Ronelle Tomkinson brings experience in tax advice as well as compliance and M&A contexts. Laura Briffett adds industrial relations matters expertise. Rebecca White and Emma Crowley are also key members of the team, with experience in contentious matters. In September 2023, Andrew Schirnack left the practice.

With individuals ‘renowned for their deep expertise and specialisation in their respective field’, MinterEllisonRuddWatts advises on the gamut of employment advice, including litigation, disciplinary procedures, health and safety, industrial relations, whistleblowers and executive exits. The firm is also well-versed in providing advise on the ongoing regulatory and legislative changes being brought in. Gillian Service, a specialist in industrial relations and collective bargaining, and Megan Richards, who regularly advises public bodies, lead the team. June Hardacre assists banks and investment firms on their employment agreements, policies and share schemes. Emma Warden is another noted member of the team.

Simpson Grierson acts as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for its clients, handling day-to-day advisory matters as well as litigation, industrial relations, investigations and health & safety matters. The firm is particularly well-versed in providing employment advice in the banking, education, health and sports sectors. The ‘calm and collected’ Rebecca Rendle spearheads the team, advising on collective bargaining, restructuring and holiday pay issues. Phillipa Muir is a seasoned litigator with experience in the Supreme Court. John Rooney specialises in health & safety matters. Bronwyn Heenan is regularly instructed by local and government departments. In January 2024, Rachael Judge was made partner.

Anthony Harper is well-versed in matters being taken to the Employment Relations Authority and appeals to the Employment Court. The firm also possesses expertise in health & safety matters, including general advisory services, investigations and governance. Anne Wilson, who focuses on the consumer good, retail and logistics industry, and Grant Nicholson, a health and safety specialist, lead the practice. Giuliana Petronelli is a key name within the practice, advising on individual grievances, restructurings, redundancies and disciplinary procedures.

The ‘experienced, efficient and pragmatic’ team at Bell Gully advises across the range of employment matters, including issues relating to transactions, disputes and compliance. The firm is also well-versed in providing general advisory work and health and safety supports. Regulatory advisor Rachael Brown, collective bargaining expert Liz Coats and Rosemary Wooders, who advises on compliance matters, lead the team. Andrea Pazin is noted within the practice and is experienced in the education sector. In December 2023, Tim Clarke left the firm.

Chapman Tripp advises national and international corporates as well as public sector organisations, from local authorities to district health boards. The firm is experienced in health & safety investigations, restrictive covenant disputes, dismissal claims and senior management exits. Marie Wisker guides the practice, experienced in mediation and litigation assistance. Garth Galloway is an expert in health & safety issues and investigations. Vonda Engels focuses her practice on conduct and culture-related investigations.

Dentons New Zealand represents clients in a range of disputes, including health & safety, unfair dismissal and restrictive covenant claims. The firm also possesses expertise in running investigations and advising on Holidays Act matters. James Warren leads the practice, advising on whistleblowing, fraud and compliance matters. Charlotte Parkhill, an expert on the Holidays Act, is a noted member of the team. Renee Butler represents clients in mediations and litigation. Greg Cain is well-versed in health & safety issues.

The ‘very commercial team’ at DLA Piper New Zealand provides day-to-day advice for global blue-chip clients on their activities within New Zealand. The firm’s experience includes advising on industrial relations, restructurings, remuneration and employment policies as well as executive-level changes. Overseeing the team, Laura Scampion, who is dual-qualified in the UK and New Zealand, advises on employment aspects of M&A. Carl Blake is well-versed in restructures, personal grievance and health & safety.

Hesketh Henry advise corporates and unions on all aspects of employment advice, with expertise in compliance, negotiation and dispute resolution matters. The firm’s industry experience includes manufacturing, aviation, utilities and professional services. Practice co-head Jim Roberts acts before all levels of the justice system, appearing before the Privy Council and Court of Appeal. Fellow co-heads Alison Maelzer, who advises on health & safety, and Jodi Sharman, who supports employees, employers and unions.

Jennifer Mills & Associates specialises in employment and health & safety law. The firm supports national and multinational individuals on compliance, transactional, industrial relations and litigation matters. The firm is also well-versed supporting senior individuals in grievance issues. Jennifer Mills oversees the team and is experienced across the employment sector, including in complex restructures, Holidays Act issues and executive matters. Ethelred Chey has left the firm.

Possessing ‘an incredible depth of experience’, the boutique employment firm Kiely Thompson Caisley is well-versed in litigation matters, appearing before the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and the Court of Appeal. The firm also acts for clients during collective bargaining procedures. Peter Kiely supports the whole spectrum of clients on their employment disputes and collective bargaining matters. The firm’s collective bargaining expertise is further bolstered by specialist Andrew Caisley. David France is highly experienced in public sector matters, especially within education. Simon Lapthorne advises on trade disputes, redundancies, restructuring and performance management. Scott Worthy appears in employment proceedings at all levels of the judiciary. In October 2023, Laura Chapman left the firm for an in-house position.

Lane Neave advises clients on the full range of employment matters, including health & safety, minimum entitlements, collective bargaining, restructuring and dismissals. The firm is also knowledgeable in how employment law intersects with human rights and immigration law. The practice is led by three partners: managing partner Andrew Shaw, who regularly appears before the Employment Court; Fiona McMillan, an advisor on health & safety, performance management, misconduct, restructuring and collective bargaining matters; and Andy Bell, a litigation and mediation expert.

Russell McVeagh covers the full suite of employment matters, including senior level exits, health & safety issues and minimum entitlement matters. The firm is also experienced in industrial relations, from collective bargaining to industrial actions. The practice head, Emma Peterson, is a health and safety specialist. Within the team, Kieron Creagh focuses on restructures and personal grievance matters, whilst Rose Powell is an expert in workplace investigations, including whistleblower cases. In April 2024, Kylie Dunn left the firm.

SBM Legal acts for leading corporations, government agencies, health boards, senior executives and unions in a wide range of employment litigation. Its experience includes health & safety, Holidays Act and group litigations. The firm is also well-versed in conducting independent workplace investigations. The team is led by Anthony Russell, who focuses on the health, education and infrastructure sectors. Penny Swarbrick advises clients in the retail sector, conducting a number of workplace investigations. Bridget Smith cements the firm’s investigation expertise. Matthew McGoldrick and Tim Oldfield are also noted members of the team.

Wynn Williams’ fast-expanding employment team advises on legislation, health & safety, immigration and litigation matters. The firm’s sector expertise includes the local government, healthcare, insurance, construction and retail sectors. Amanda Douglas heads the practice, advising on personal grievance, executive exit and workplace misconduct matters. Anthony Drake is a veteran litigator with experience in the Supreme Court.

The team at Anderson Lloyd specialises in advising in a range of employment matters, especially health & safety, litigation and workplace investigations. The firm regularly advises clients in the education, health and local government sectors. The team is led by John Farrow, who regularly appears before the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court, and Ashley-Jayne Lodge, an expert in workplace investigations. Fi McMillan is a key name within the team.

Tompkins Wake advises clients on immigration-related matters, restructures and senior-level exits. It further advises its clients on responsibilities and duties towards its employees under various pieces of legislation, including the Employment Relations Act and Holidays Act. Mark Hammond leads the team which contains experienced negotiator and litigator Daniel Erickson. In December 2023, Karina McLuskie left the practice.