BA/LL.B (Hons), Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Dispute Resolution), AAMINZ, PRI
Carolyn has been a lawyer for 30 years, having started her career at Tompkins Wake in Hamilton. Prior to joining Bartlett Law she was for some years a partner in the litigation team of Morrison Kent in Wellington.
Carolyn is an employment law and dispute resolution specialist. She is a qualified and experienced mediator. She regularly represents clients in employment disputes, in mediation and before disciplinary tribunals, the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court.
Carolyn has more than 20 years’ experience in the practice and theory of alternative forms of dispute resolution, including mediation, facilitation and negotiation. She is available to be engaged at short notice as a mediator to help you resolve human resources and employment relationship problems and grievances quickly and confidentially.
Carolyn also has substantial experience as counsel in the District Courts and High Court, and successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal from a decision of the Employment Court to disregard a Calderbank offer (Blue Star Print Group (NZ) Ltd v Mitchell [2010] NZCA 385). She advises in respect of a wide variety of issues, including the Official Information and Privacy Acts, health and safety, education law, and sensitive matters such as harassment and bullying. Carolyn will work with you to keep you out of court where possible, and will provide clear advice as to your options for resolution.
Carolyn presented at the Crown Leadership International Group seminar “Managing Workplace Bullying and Harassment” in November 2019.
In February 2021, at a NZLS CLE Ltd seminar, Carolyn co-presented “Employment law in the time of Covid-19” with Penelope Ryder-Lewis. The presentation focused mainly on employers having to reconsider staffing levels, key employment issues across payment obligations, working from home and redundancy.
In 2023 Carolyn joined the faculty of the New Zealand Law Society Litigation Skills Programme.
Carolyn is available as an employment mediator throughout New Zealand.
Carolyn and Penelope are presenting, together with Dr Simon Ryder-Lewis, Occupational Health specialist doctor (Work Health Solutions Ltd), a series of free webinars (Snapshot Series © ) on employment and health related issues. Email us for more information: lawyer@btlaw.co.nz
