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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The DLA Piper New Zealand employment team is responsive, practical, and consistently delivers clear, business-focused advice. They understand the needs of international clients and provide reliable support, working seamlessly with in-house teams.’
  • ‘Carl Blake is calm, strategic, and highly commercial. We value his keen attention to detail, pragmatic advice, and ability to navigate sensitive and complex issues with sound judgement.’

Key clients

  • Foodstuffs merger
  • Yamaha Motor Co Ltd – Acquisition of Robotics Plus Limited

Work highlights

Advised Kono NZ LP (an associated business of Wakatū Corporation) on all employment aspects of the sale of its seafood division to Talley's Limited. This included employee consultation, contractual drafting and negotiations. This was a very complex transaction involving consultation with multiple groups of employees and managing ongoing union concerns.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Laura Scampion

Other key lawyers

Carl Blake; Julia MacGibbon