Areas of Practice

I specialise in all areas of law arising out of the employment relationship, including health and safety, ACC and other civil disputes.  

Employment

Employment relationships are essential to almost all of us.  We either employ people or are employed, and how good or bad that relationship is can have a huge impact on our personal and business success. 

I advise employers and employees at all stages of the employment relationship – negotiating employment agreements, dealing with problems that may arise, and addressing issues arising at the end of the relationship.  That includes:

• Drafting or reviewing employment agreements and contractor agreements

• Dealing with employment problems – disciplinary meetings, performance management, serious misconduct, termination, dismissal and warnings.

• Negotiating or enforcing restraints of trade like non solicitation and other customer protection provisions

• Addressing difficult payments issues – holiday pay, public holidays, sleepovers, underpayment and overpayment. 

• Helping you navigate investigations by the Labour Inspectors.

• Resolving personal grievances.

• Attending mediation as your representative.

• Dealing with professional regulatory investigations and complaints.

• Initiating and defending proceedings in the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court.

Health and Safety

I have appeared for numerous employers who have suffered an accident in the workplace.  As a result, I can bring considerable experience expertise to:

• Advise on your health and safety policies

• Help you train your staff in risk identification and management

• Audit your health and safety processes

• Assist you to create risk management plans, prepare job safety analyses and safe work procedures

• Represent your interests if you have a Worksafe investigation

• Work with you to keep matters out of court by negotiating with Worksafe

• Defend you in court if you are charged with an offence

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Civil Litigation

Disputes between two parties arise in all walks of life.  You may need to enforce a contract, seek compensation for a loss caused by someone else, or protect certain assets.  You may have a problem with a business partner, a government department, a service provider, a neighbour or a former partner.  I am able to assist on a wide range of disputes, giving you advice on your rights, dealing and negotiating with other parties, and representing your interests in court. 

I am approved to take direct instructions on employment matters.  This means that you do not need to engage a solicitor as well.  Using an instructing solicitor can have the benefit of providing administrative or research support, and a second set of eyes over the advice provided.  However, that may incur further costs, and you may prefer to engage directly with my specialised advice.