Employment boutique Smith Dunn, jointly led by Bridget Smith  and Kylie Dunn, advises on the full spectrum of employment law, with notable expertise in dispute resolution and health and safety compliance.

Bell Gully’s employment team is regularly engaged on redundancy processes, workplace investigations, and medical incapacity disputes. The practice is jointly headed by Rachael Brown, who advises both public and private sector clients on health and safety matters, including seismic-related issues; Liz Coats, noted for her expertise in collective bargaining, restructuring exercises, and post-employment restraints; and Rosemary Wooders, a seasoned advocate and negotiator frequently instructed by major employers.

Buddle Findlay’s employment team is a trusted adviser to major employers across both the public and private sectors, frequently assisting with workplace health and safety, large-scale restructuring, and collective bargaining. The national practice is co-led by Peter Chemis, a long-standing adviser to government departments, alongside regional leads in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Auckland-based Sherridan Cook brings extensive litigation experience to his practice, while Hamish Kynaston, who heads the Wellington team, is noted for his advocacy work and particular insight into workplace harassment issues. In Christchurch, Shaun Brookes is recognised for his expertise in industrial relations, regularly advising on union negotiations and industrial action.

Dundas Street is frequently instructed on large-scale public sector restructures and complex collective bargaining matters across both public and private organisations. Leading the team from Wellington, Susan Hornsby-Geluk is a highly regarded litigator known for handling high-stakes disputes.  Founding partner Blair Scotland brings a broad employment practice shaped by significant in-house experience, while Ros Webby is noted for her expertise in senior-level employment issues, including executive exits, redundancy procedures, and restraint of trade matters. Chloe Luscombe is a trusted adviser in external workplace investigations, and Megan Vant, who was promoted to partner in April 2025, continues to develop her growing reputation in the field.

LangtonHudson, Lawyers is a well-established boutique firm in Auckland, known for its focus on high-level employment advice to corporate clients. Founding and managing partner Stephen Langton is a trusted adviser to corporate employers, regularly handling matters involving breach of fiduciary duty, post-employment restraints, and minimum entitlements. Ronelle Tomkinson, who leads the firm’s M&A employment offering, combines her tax and employment law expertise to assist clients with regulatory compliance. Emma Crowley was promoted to partner in April 2025.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ labour and employment team offers a comprehensive service to clients across key sectors including manufacturing, energy, finance, and mining. The practice is jointly led by Megan Evans in Wellington and Gillian Service in Auckland. The team regularly advises on a broad spectrum of matters, from workplace investigations and enforceable undertakings to complex litigation, drawing on its health and safety expertise to support clients at both operational and boardroom level. Richards is known for her work in employment and public law, with a strong track record advising government departments and Crown entities. Service brings deep expertise in industrial relations, particularly in collective bargaining and union negotiations. Also noted is June Hardacre, who advises on the intersection of employment law with data protection, privacy, and other IP-related issues.

The employment team at Simpson Grierson is recognised for handling a broad spectrum of workplace matters, ranging from performance management to disciplinary issues. Practice head Rebecca Rendle is highly regarded for her litigation expertise, while firm chair Phillipa Muir is a trusted adviser to numerous boards of directors. Bronwyn Heenan brings significant experience in advising public sector clients, including government departments and Crown entities. In addition, John Rooney focuses on health and safety law, frequently representing international clients.

Anthony Harper’s employment and health and safety team is frequently instructed on internal investigations, fatal incident responses, and complex workplace restructurings. The group operates across two core departments, employment and health and safety, drawing on specialist knowledge from both areas. The practice is jointly led by Grant Nicholson, a trusted adviser on corporate governance and compliance, and Anne Wilson, who is noted for her expertise in employment matters arising from M&A transactions.

Chapman Tripp’s employment team is a trusted adviser to major national corporates, multinationals, and public sector bodies. Led by Marie Wisker, the group is frequently engaged in workplace litigation, internal investigations, and senior executive exits and restructurings. Garth Gallaway contributes niche expertise through his work on coronial inquests and complex regulatory proceedings, while the practice further expanded its bench strength with the promotion of Vonda Engels to partner in December 2024.

Dentons New Zealand’s employment practice is frequently engaged by public sector organisations as well as clients in construction, infrastructure, retail and technology. Leading the group, Renee Butler is widely recognised for her work on sensitive workplace investigations, often involving allegations of bullying, harassment or theft. James Warren brings notable strength in contentious employment matters, particularly dismissal, discrimination and restrictive covenant claims. Charlotte Parkhill supports a diverse client base, from SMEs to multinational corporations, on restructurings, compliance issues and personal grievance disputes.

DLA Piper New Zealand’s employment practice is recognised for handling complex, multi-jurisdictional mandates, frequently advising on global workforce restructurings, international secondments, and employment considerations in cross-border transactions. Practice head Laura Scampion is widely regarded as a go-to adviser for both domestic and multinational clients, including APAC-listed insurers and major professional services firms. Carl Blake complements the team with expertise spanning human rights and privacy law, collective bargaining negotiations, and workplace health and safety.

Hesketh Henry’s employment team is recognised for its breadth across compliance, advisory work and contentious mandates, with notable expertise in the manufacturing, forestry, communications and maritime industries. Practice leadership is shared between Jim Roberts, an accomplished advocate with appearances before the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council; Alison Maelzer, who is regularly instructed on high-value employment relations matters by both corporates and individuals; and Jodi Sharman, who brings extensive litigation experience acting for employers, employees and unions.

Kiely Thompson Caisley is a specialist litigation firm recognised for its expertise in public sector employment disputes, particularly in relation to collective bargaining and union negotiations. Founding partner Peter Kiely is noted for handling employment matters involving novel or complex legal questions, while Andrew Caisley is highly regarded for his work in collective bargaining. David France frequently advises on large-scale restructurings across the manufacturing, retail and aviation sectors. Employment litigator Scott Worthy is well known for his appellate advocacy, and Simon Lapthorne brings specialist expertise in restraint of trade issues, employment status disputes and redundancies. Hannah King is also recommended for her significant experience in workplace investigations and advisory employment matters.

Lane Neave advises a broad client base, including government agencies, private sector organisations and charities, on employment issues ranging from health and safety and minimum entitlements to human rights matters. The practice is jointly led by managing partner Andrew Shaw, an experienced litigator; Fiona McMillan, who specialises in collective bargaining and workplace investigations; and Andy Bell, who focuses on dispute resolution and mediation.

Russell McVeagh frequently advises on complex mandates, including union-related litigation, senior executive departures, and a broad range of compliance issues. The team is also experienced in dealing with regulators on minimum entitlements and overseeing internal investigations. Practice head Emma Peterson is recognised for her strong track record in personal grievance claims, confidentiality and restraint of trade disputes, and is commended for delivering ‘outstanding service’.

Following its recent merger with specialist employment boutique SBM Legal, Wynn Williams advises on the full spectrum of employment law matters, both contentious and non-contentious. The team is jointly headed by Penny Swarbrick, a trusted adviser to clients in the retail sector and an experienced litigator, and Anthony Drake, who regularly handles collective bargaining and confidentiality-related issues. Kathryn Evans is noted for her advocacy on behalf of public relations professionals and for her expertise in workplace investigations and negotiated exits. Recent addition from SBM Matthew McGoldrick further strengthens the group’s specialist offering.

Anderson Lloyd frequently advises on unfair dismissal claims and breaches of good faith, and is well-equipped to conduct workplace investigations and due diligence processes. The practice is jointly led by John Farrow, a highly experienced employment litigator, and Ashley-Jayne (AJ) Lodge, who is noted for her expertise in handling bullying and sexual harassment investigations. Fi McMillan is also recommended.

PwC Legal New Zealand’s employment team is regularly instructed by high-profile clients, often on mandates with a cross-border element. Practice head Chris Baldock is noted for his expertise in Holidays Act and payroll compliance, complex restructurings, and dispute resolution. Drawing on extensive in-house experience, Anmol Shankar advises on performance and disciplinary processes as well as redundancies.

Tompkins Wake is well positioned to advise on workplace disputes, regulatory compliance, and large-scale restructurings. The practice is a key port of call for clients across a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, hospitality, local government, and financial services. Daniel Erickson leads the team and is particularly experienced in conducting workplace investigations into bullying, harassment, and serious misconduct. Mark Hammond is highlighted for his litigation expertise, with a focus on complex industrial relations disputes.