Employment | Asia-Pacific

Simpson Grierson is a skilled team offering strong representation to clients across the full breadth of employment matters. The team handles employee termination cases and is commended for its handling of industrial relations matters, including unionised employee pay disputes. The firm advises boards, CEOs and public sector clients on senior executive restructuring, health and safety, and due diligence. The practice boasts a superb litigation offering at all levels of the employment court system and is well respected for its work handling Holidays Act matters.

Bell Gully maintains a distinguished employment practice, serving a blue-chip client base, particularly in employee matters connected with corporate transactions. The practice handles restructuring and redundancy issues, as well as industrial relations engagements, collective agreement negotiations, and health and safety matters. The firm fields a strong disputes practice, handling a range of claims, including unfair dismissal, discrimination and personal grievance. The team regularly acts on major procurement and contracting projects for public sector entities.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts has notable expertise in employment agreement reviews and business restructuring matters. The team acts for an impressive clientele from the agriculture, transport and technology sectors on health and safety, industrial relations and privacy matters. The firm operates a strong practice out of offices in both Auckland and Wellington, specialising in immigration, disciplinary proceedings, employee terminations and workplace investigations.

Wynn Williams Lawyers is noted for its substantial employment practice, with a presence in Christchurch and Auckland. The firm acts for both employers and employees on personal grievances, bullying, disciplinary investigations and serious misconduct. The team is noted for its experience in advising on the employment aspects of large restructures and M&A transactions. The practice also advises employers on health and safety obligations and compliance.

Dentons is in demand for its depth of expertise in health and safety regulatory compliance, including dealing with investigations by regulatory bodies. The firm advises on various aspects of employment law, including restructurings, contractual issues and performance management, while also boasting extensive litigation experience. The practice also has a strong presence in the public sector, representing major New Zealand public sector employers. The firm is active in post-employment restraint, including breach of confidentiality and settlement agreements. In addition, the team is noted for its work in misconduct, bullying, pay equity and sexual harassment allegations.

Hesketh Henry is valued for its capability in the fields of restructuring, employee agreements and compliance matters for large national unions and businesses. The practice frequently assists clients with employee relations and health and safety matters. The team focuses on the early resolution of disputes, assisting with performance and disciplinary matters, as well as in contentious matters before the Employment Relations Authority and courts.

Russell McVeagh is a compact practice that advises on complex corporate employment matters, compliance issues and minimum employment entitlements, as well as on dismissals and the departure of senior executives. The firm is also acknowledged for its advice to employers regarding collective bargaining and health and safety liability.

DLA Piper New Zealand represents the New Zealand arm of a global firm known for its practical expertise in the employment aspects of international acquisitions and divestments. The practice advises on outsourcing agreements and the transfer of staff across jurisdictions, handling contentious matters such as personal grievances and disciplinary actions for long-term clients. The team is also skilled in reviewing employment documentation and adapting to local legislative changes regarding health and safety compliance and industrial relations. The firm handles both domestic and cross-border matters, notably for clients from the insurance and healthcare sectors.

Lane Neave's large and experienced New Zealand team covers the spectrum of misconduct investigations, discrimination, unfair dismissal claims and compliance reviews. The law firm has successfully represented employers in mediations and also advises on implementing or amending company health and safety policies. In addition, the practice provides training on New Zealand employment law to all its clients and specialist industry groups.

Quigg Partners is a well-known employment specialist law firm based in Wellington. The firm advises across a broad range of employment issues, including unjustified dismissal claims, executive terminations and compliance and liability. The team regularly appears before the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court. It also advises on the employment aspects of corporate transactions and is increasingly active in health and safety prosecutions.