The 2026 listing of leading New Zealand Employment Barristers details counsels practising within the areas of employment and industrial relations matters across the New Zealand legal market who have been identified by the regions solicitors and peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
Senior Counsel
Leading
Maria Dew KC, Britomart Chambers – Auckland
Philip Skelton KC, Bankside Chambers – Auckland
Paul Wicks KC, City Chambers – Auckland
Recommended
Fletcher Pilditch KC, Richmond Chambers – Auckland
Junior Counsel
Leading
James Cairney, Bankside Chambers – Auckland
Steph Dyhrberg, Steph Dyhrberg Barrister – Wellington
Brett Harris, 2 Commerce St – Auckland
Recommended
Tim Clarke, Richmond Chambers – Auckland
Paul White, Quay Chambers- Auckland
Previous editions
2025 edition published March 2025
Senior Counsel – Leading
Maria Dew KC, Britomart Chambers - Auckland
Philip Skelton KC, Bankside Chambers - Auckland
Paul Wicks KC, City Chambers - Auckland
Senior Counsel – Recommended
Richard Raymond KC, Canterbury Chambers - Christchurch
Les Taylor KC, Stout Street Chambers - Wellington
Junior Counsel – Leading
James Cairney, Bankside Chambers - Auckland
Tim Clarke, Richmond Chambers - Auckland
Junior Counsel – Recommended
Mark Donovan, 155 Fanshaw St - Auckland
Brett Harris, Brett Harris Barrister - Auckland
Oliver Skilton, Mills Lane Chambers - Auckland
Rob Towner, Richmond Chambers - Auckland
2024 edition published May 2024
Senior Counsel – Leading
Maria Dew KC, Britomart Chambers - Auckland
Philip Skelton KC, Bankside Chambers - Auckland
Paul Wicks KC, City Chambers - Auckland
Junior Counsel – Recommended
John Hannan, Bankside Chambers - Auckland
Brett Harris, Brett Harris Barrister - Auckland
Amy Keir, Amy Keir Barrister - Christchurch
Rob Towner, Richmond Chambers - Auckland
2023 edition published May 2023
Senior Counsel – Leading
Maria Dew QC, Bankside Chambers
Philip Skelton QC, Bankside Chambers
Paul Wicks QC, City Chambers
Junior Counsel – Recommended
John Hannan, Bankside Chambers
Brett Harris, Brett Harris Barrister
Amy Keir, Amy Keir Barrister
Rob Towner, Richmond Chambers
2022 edition published March 2022
Senior Counsel – Leading
Maria Dew QC, Bankside Chambers
Philip Skelton QC, Bankside Chambers
Paul Wicks QC, City Chambers
Senior Counsel – Recommended
Christine Meechan QC, Bankside Chambers
Junior Counsel – Recommended
Rob Towner, Richmond Chambers
Richard Upton, Auckland
2021 edition published May 2021
Senior Counsel – Leading
Philip Skelton QC, Bankside Chambers
Paul Wicks QC, City Chambers
Senior Counsel – Recommended
Maria Dew QC, Bankside Chambers
Junior Counsel – Recommended
Rob Towner, Richmond Chambers
Richard Upton, Auckland
2020 edition published February 2020
Senior Counsel – Leading
Philip Skelton QC, Bankside Chambers
Senior Counsel – Recommended
Maria Dew QC, Bankside Chambers
Paul Wicks QC, City Chambers
Junior Counsel – Recommended
Mark Donovan, Chancery Chambers
Rob Towner, Richmond Chambers
Richard Upton, Auckland
2019 edition published March 2019
Senior Counsel – Recommended
Maria Dew QC, Bankside Chambers
Philip Skelton QC, Bankside Chambers
Paul Wicks QC, City Chambers
Junior Counsel – Recommended
Rob Towner, Richmond Chambers
Richard Upton, Auckland