Simpson Grierson

Labour and employment

Chair

Phillipa is Simpson Grierson's Chair, and one of New Zealand's leading employment lawyers. She acts for many of New Zealand's major corporations, tertiary institutions, and local government bodies.

Phillipa has successfully argued several leading cases in new areas of employment law. These include the first major damages claim brought by an employer against a union, the first successful stress damages case to go to the Court of Appeal, and the first employment law case to go to New Zealand's Supreme Court.

Phillipa is a Director of Delegat Group Limited, Chair of Fletcher Building Employee Educational Fund and a Trustee of Sweet Louise Foundation.

Phillipa has co-authored two Brookers texts: ‘Employment Law’ and ‘Recruitment & Termination’.

Recognition

Asia Pacific Legal 500 2026 Labour & Employment – Leading Lawyer (Hall of Fame)

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026 Employment – Senior Statesperson

The International Who's Who Legal 2021 Employment & Benefits – Global Leader

Asialaw Leading Lawyers Guide 2018 Labour & Employment – Market-leading Lawyer

English

BA LLB