Gain practical strategies to manage employment law reform, reduce workplace risk and advise confidently on complex employment law issues. How will the employment law reform and increasing employment law risk affect New Zealand employers, payroll, employment agreements and workplace policies? Examine the Employee Leave Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act reform alongside key developments in contractor relationships, the new contractor gateway test, restraints of trade, directors’ personal liability, workplace bullying and harassment, workplace investigations and protected disclosures. Across four practical sessions, leading employment lawyers will guide you through the legal risks, implementation priorities and compliance steps for you to correctly advise your clients and Boards.

Presenters

Kelly Rowell, Special Counsel, BE Employment Law
Kelly is Special Counsel at BE Employment Law, a specialist employment law firm. Prior to joining BE Employment Law, Kelly had her own practice as an employment law barrister and has specialised in employment law for the duration of her career. Kelly has experience in all aspects of employment law and enjoys both advisory and dispute resolution work. She has represented clients at the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court and also been involved in cases at the higher appellate levels.


John Farrow, Partner, Anderson Lloyd
John Farrow is a Partner co-leading Anderson Lloyd's national employment team. He specialises in Employment and Health & Safety law. John's expertise covers the full range of employment matters, including those which involve criminal and civil aspects. He is a LEADR-accredited Mediator, Member of the Institute of Directors and is an 'Association of Workplace Investigators' Certificate-holder. John is named in the 'Best Lawyers in New Zealand' publication, Labour and Employment Law category, and as a 'next generation partner' in the Legal 500.

Jim Roberts, Partner, Hesketh Henry
Jim is a partner in our Employment Team. He advises on all aspects of employment law, with a focus on helping clients manage risk, resolve disputes, and navigate complex workplace issues. With over 30 years of specialist experience, he works across a broad range of industries, providing strategic advice on employment processes, compliance, and workplace change. He regularly advises on holidays compliance, including issues arising from short-term incentive payments, and supports clients through employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Jim is also involved in collective bargaining and union matters. Jim is a highly experienced advocate, with a strong track record in mediation, the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, and appellate courts. His career includes acting on a number of leading cases, including a benchmark appeal decision. Jim is internationally recognised as a leading expert in employment law, ranked by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Chambers Asia-Pacific, and Doyle’s Guide. He is also recommended by Doyles Guide as a top Workplace Health & Safety Lawyer. Jim is known for his ability to understand the people behind the issues and for delivering clear, practical advice that supports long-term outcomes.

Blair Edwards, Managing Partner, Edwards Sluiters Employment Lawyers
Blair Edwards is the founder of Edwards Sluiters – Employment Lawyers. He has an honours degree in law and Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History. Having practised employment law for many years in one of New Zealand’s largest law firms, Blair joined the independent bar as a barrister sole in 2008, before going on to establish Edwards Sluiters – Employment Lawyers. With significant experience in employment relations, Blair gives practical advice on all contentious and non-contentious legal and human resource issues that arise in your workplace. Blair assists clients to prevent employment problems from arising and represents clients when employment relationships have broken down. Blair regularly attends mediations, Employment Relations Authority investigation meetings, and hearings in the Employment Court. Blair has also appeared in the District Court, the Accident Compensation Review Authority, District Court – ACC Appeals, and the Court of Appeal.

Tanya Preston, Senior Associate, BE Employment Law
Tanya focuses on promptly identifying key issues and providing practical, strategic, commercial advice to our clients to achieve the preferred outcome. Confident, pragmatic and solution focused, Tanya is a specialist at helping clients navigate litigation and overcome issues arising from all aspects of employment law. She has represented clients at mediations and in the Employment Relations Authority. Tanya joined BE from another boutique employment firm. Prior to that Tanya has worked in Immigration, Insurance and general Litigation practices, so brings a full range of knowledge to the team.

Julia Hurren, Special Counsel, Duncan Cotterill
Julia Hurren is a Special Counsel in Duncan Cotterill’s Christchurch employment team.  She has over 20 years’ experience and specialises in all aspects of employment law.  Julia works closely with employers to navigate complex workplace matters, providing practical advice on performance and conduct, disciplinary processes, medical incapacity, restructuring and redundancy and employment disputes. She has extensive experience advising on and resolving personal grievances and other workplace disputes.

Kate Fitz-John, Senior Associate, Edwards Sluiters Employment Lawyers
Kate has been with Edwards Sluiters – Employment Lawyers since 2018 and is based in the Hamilton office, assisting clients throughout New Zealand and abroad. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Waikato. She began her career in general practice, gaining experience in commercial and property matters, and civil, criminal, and employment litigation before specialising solely in employment law in 2018. Kate advises both employers and employees on the full spectrum of employment and human resource issues, contentious and non-contentious. Kate works closely with clients to understand their circumstances and develop clear, tailored strategies that fits their specific needs. She is known for simplifying complex legal issues into straightforward, actionable advice. Kate is practical and solutions-focused, but draws confidently on her litigation background when escalation is required. She regularly represents clients in mediation, the Employment Relations Authority, and the Employment Court. Her work includes drafting and advising on employment agreements, workplace policies, records of settlement, employee share schemes, and pleadings. She also assists both employers and employees with restructures, personal grievances, disciplinary and performance processes, workplace investigations, exit negotiations, and restraint of trade issues. Kate also provides advice on technical areas of employment law, including wage issues. Clients value Kate’s approachable, responsive style and her ability to provide advice that is legally robust, practical, and easy to understand. She is committed to building strong, long‑term relationships and guiding clients through both straightforward and complex workplace issues.

Jonny Sanders, Senior Associate, Duncan Cotterill
Jonny is a specialist employment lawyer with broad-ranging experience and expertise. He assists clients with all aspects of employment and health and safety law, including personal grievances, redundancy and disciplinary processes, performance management, medical incapacity, restraints of trade, bullying and harassment, holidays and leave, and privacy.  He has extensive experience in negotiation and mediation and has represented clients in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court.