employment law specialist in Auckland hamilton tauranga waikato region edwards law team member kate fitz john 8
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" At Edwards Law we are dedicated to clients, we translate the law into clear advice, and we are driven to offer pragmatic solutions and results. "

Kate Fitz-John

Kate Fitz-John

LLB, BSocSc

Senior Associate

Kate graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Social Sciences (majoring in Environmental Planning, minoring in Economics) in 2015. Kate is based in our Hamilton office in the heart of the Waikato.

Kate began her legal career in general practice, including a career highlight as Junior Defence Counsel for a Multi-Defendant High Court Criminal Trial. Kate has a broad range of experience including commercial and property law, and exposure to court processes within the civil, criminal, and employment jurisdictions.

Kate joined Edwards Law in 2018 and has since specialised in employment law and human resource issues, bringing a depth of knowledge and understanding of the wider legal framework to her clients’ specific needs. She routinely represents and advises both employees and employers on a range of matters, including:

  • drafting and advising on documents including records of settlement, employee share programmes, employment agreements, workplace policies, and pleadings;
  • restructuring, from a strategic and procedural basis;
  • attending and advising on more contentious issues, such as personal grievances, mediation, disciplinary and performance matters, exit negotiations, the enforceability of restraints of trade, and so on;
  • representing clients in mediation, the Employment Relations Authority, the Human Rights Review Tribunal, and the Employment Court.

Kate is passionate about employment law, specifically finding the right balance for employers so that they are compliant, whilst upholding their commercial interests. She is a strong advocate for her clients.

The following cases were particular career highlights for Kate:

NZERA Auckland 406, where Kate was successful in the Authority for interim reinstatement on an urgent basis. 
https://www.employment.govt.nz/assets/elawpdf/2018/eb8e3c448b/2018-NZERA-Auckland-406.pdf

NZEmpC 161, defending the plaintiff’s application to stay the Authority’s determination with favourable conditions for the defendant, Mr. Johnstone.

NZERA 564, applying for an interim non-publication order prohibiting the publication of the applicant’s name and area of practice.
https://www.employment.govt.nz/assets/elawpdf/2019/2019_NZERA_564.pdf

Kate provides practical in-depth advice and works hard to understand her clients to get the best results.