Dentons New Zealand represents clients in a range of disputes, including health & safety, unfair dismissal and restrictive covenant claims. The firm also possesses expertise in running investigations and advising on Holidays Act matters. James Warren leads the practice, advising on whistleblowing, fraud and compliance matters. Charlotte Parkhill, an expert on the Holidays Act, is a noted member of the team. Renee Butler represents clients in mediations and litigation. Greg Cain is well-versed in health & safety issues.
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+64 9 914 7259
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Work Department

Employment Law

Position

Partner

Career

Charlotte is a partner in our employment team. She helps her clients deal with complex employment issues, both contentious and non-contentious, including collective bargaining, restrictive covenants, restructuring, discipline and dismissals and policy issues.

Charlotte is an accomplished litigator, having appeared as Counsel in the regulatory, criminal and employment jurisdictions. She is also focussed on dispute resolution procedures in the workplace and provides solution-focussed, pragmatic and responsive advice to her clients.

Charlotte assists a wide range of international companies, New Zealand corporates, SMEs and other organisations on any issues that arise with their employees, including personal grievances, restraints of trade and restructures. She also has extensive experience with assisting clients with compliance with the Holidays Act and issues that arise under the Human Rights Act. Her background as a criminal prosecutor also provides specialist expertise in carrying out investigations into matters such as fraud, bullying, harassment and theft.

Charlotte is committed to achieving commercial outcomes to difficult employment issues through understanding her client’s business objectives and how they want to manage their people.

Charlotte is also the Chair of the Board for the Auckland Business Chamber. This provides her with a valuable insight into the New Zealand business environment and access to a network of key stakeholders and decision-makers in the business and government sectors.

Languages

English

Education

University of Canterbury, 2002, Political Science

University of Canterbury, 2002, Bachelor of Laws, LLB

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The employment team at Dentons are extremely experienced in all facets of NZ employment law and health and safety. They provide robust advice that is also commercial and pragmatic and fit for clients' business culture and context.’

  • ‘What I like about Charlotte Parkhill's approach is that it is clear and to the point, well backed up through case law and her vast experience, and I am able to talk through options with her and how they will work in my business context.'

  • ‘Greg Cain is calm and methodical but also very knowledgeable.’

  • ‘It is very a much a collaborative approach with the needs of the client foremost and no sense of one-upmanship or individual glory. The advice is always comprehensive, pragmatic, and extraordinarily timely.’

  • ‘Greg Cain's depth and breadth of knowledge and his advocacy are excellent.’

  • ‘All team members I have worked with have been responsive and supportive.’

Key clients

  • Harcourts
  • Brightwater Engineering Limited
  • Department of Corrections
  • Rescare Homes Trust
  • Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children)
  • Ministry of Social Development

Work highlights

Representing 19 former employees of MediaWorks Radio Limited regarding their termination of employment following the closure of TODAY FM.
Acting for Harcourts in injunction proceedings in the High Court, seeking to enforce confidential information, non-solicitation and non-compete obligations on four real estate agents who departed for a competitor with their manager.
Acting for Brightwater in a health and safety prosecution by WorkSafe New Zealand, relating to a flashover incident that occurred when an electrician was replacing fuse equipment at the Devonport Naval Base, resulting in the electrician suffering burns that required hospitalisation.