Emily is a Special Counsel in Lane Neave’s national Employment team.
Emily is experienced in advising national and international clients on employment law matters in New Zealand and across Asia Pacific. With a background in top-tier private practice in New Zealand and Hong Kong, Emily also spent eight years in-house serving as the Head of Employment Legal, APAC for a leading US financial institution. She was responsible for all employment legal matters across 11 jurisdictions, ensuring legal compliance across complex labour law systems, implementing global employment strategies and documentation, and advising senior executives on sensitive workplace issues.
Drawing on this experience, Emily has a unique understanding of commercial, operational and reputational considerations for employers, particularly in regulated sectors. Known for her clear, solutions-focussed approach, Emily has guided organisations through significant workforce disruption, crisis response and periods of heightened regulatory scrutiny.
Expertise
Emily advises employers and senior executives on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, combining technical expertise with a strong understanding of the commercial realities that shape workplace decisions.
Practical and commercially focussed, Emily also supports businesses on the employment aspects of establishing and growing their operations, including recruitment strategy, employment structures, executive appointments and remuneration, and the development of employment policies and documentation. She has expertise in executive remuneration schemes, and in supporting businesses through acquisitions, employee transfers and other organisational changes.
As a trained mediator through the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand, Emily regularly represents clients in sensitive discussions, mediation and the Employment Relations Authority and undertakes workplace investigations.
Industries
Emily brings hands-on experience across multiple industries including banking and financial services, aviation, education, logistics, manufacturing and agribusiness. She works with sports and charitable organizations and has served on conduct assessment and disciplinary panels.
Emily is based in Wānaka and works with clients in all parts of the country.
