The 2026 listing of leading New Zealand Employment Lawyers details solicitors practising within the areas of employment and industrial relations matters matters across the New Zealand market who have been identified by clients and peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
Preeminent
Liz Coats, Bell Gully – Auckland
Kylie Dunn, Smith Dunn – Auckland
Leading
Andrew Caisley, Kiely Thompson Caisley – Auckland
Daniel Erickson, Tompkins Wake – Auckland
David France, Kiely Thompson Caisley – Auckland
Susan Hornsby-Geluk, Dundas Street Employment Lawyers – Wellington
Peter Kiely, Kiely Thompson Caisley – Auckland
Stephen Langton, LangtonHudson – Auckland
Phillipa Muir, Simpson Grierson – Auckland
Gillian Service, MinterEllison Rudd Watts – Auckland
Bridget Smith, Smith Dunn – Auckland
Penny Swarbrick, Wynn Williams – Auckland
Recommended
Andy Bell, Lane Neave – Wellington
Jordan Boyle, Dyhrberg Drayton – Wellington
Emma Butcher, BE Employment Law – Auckland
Peter Chemis, Buddle Findlay – Wellington
Joanna Drayton, Dyhrberg Drayton – Wellington
Blair Edwards, Edwards Sluiters Employment Lawyers – Auckland
Alastair Espie, Duncan Cotterill – Auckland
Angela Evans, BE Employment Law – Auckland
Hannah King, Kiely Thompson Caisley – Auckland
Hamish Kynaston, Buddle Findlay – Wellington
Jessie Lapthorne, Duncan Cotterill – Auckland
Simon Lapthorne, Kiely Thompson Caisley – Auckland
Fiona McMillan, Lane Neave – Auckland
Jim Roberts, Hesketh Henry – Auckland
Blair Scotland, Dundas Street Employment Lawyers – Wellington