SBM LEGAL - Key Persons
Anthony is a Consultant to SBM Legal. Anthony joined SBM Legal in May 2018 and was a Partner from October 2019 until March 2024. He has over 30 years' legal experience and has held senior employment law positions at two law firms, has worked with unions and has acted as a prosecutor for the Serious Fraud Office. He has also lectured in law at University of Waikato and more recently, at AUT. His experience is extensive and wide-ranging and Anthony has a particular focus on the health, education and infrastructure sectors.
Anthony has a Masters of Commercial Law (Hons), as well as an LLB (Hons) and BA. He has previously served on the Board of the Employment Law Institute, as well as the ADLS Employment Law Committee. He has written a number of papers on employment law. He also has an active interest in sports law (and its links with employment law) and is a member of Australia New Zealand Sports Law Association.
Hayley graduated from the University of Auckland with a BA/LLB(Hons) and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 2017. She has worked as an employment lawyer at a national firm, a mid-sized firm and in the UK before returning to New Zealand and joining SBM Legal. She has experience representing both employers and employees to resolve a variety of issues in a wide range of sectors and industries. She offers practical advice and solutions, taking into account the nuance of each situation.
Karishma joined SBM Legal as a solicitor in 2023. After graduating from Auckland University of Technology with a double degree in Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business, she worked as a Human Resources Advisor in one of New Zealand's largest estate planning companies.
With a solid foundation and experience in Human Resources, Karishma has a keen interest in workplace dynamics. Her dual background in Human Resources and Employment Law allows her to see workplace challenges from different perspectives, giving her a wide understanding of the issues that organisations face frequently.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Employment Lawyer
She commenced practice as an employment lawyer in 2003 at a national firm having graduated from the University of Canterbury with an LLB (hons) and BA in History and Classical Studies. She also spent several years working in the employment law teams of multi-national firms in London before returning to New Zealand.
Kirsti is an experienced employment lawyer who advises both employers and employees in a wide range of employment law issues. Her advice is always practical and designed to find solutions to problems that arise in workplaces. Her expertise includes advising on restructuring, disciplinary and performance issues, discrimination, the employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions and dispute resolution.
Matthew joined SBM Legal as an Associate in October 2012 and was appointed Senior Associate on 1 July 2013.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) from the University of Canterbury in 2006.
Prior to joining SBM Legal in 2012, Matthew was employed as a solicitor in the Wellington employment law practice of a national law firm, and in the employment law practice of the Wellington Crown Solicitor's office. He also spent time practising employment law in the United Kingdom before returning to New Zealand.
Matthew has regularly represented employers and employees in mediation and before the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, District Court and in the High Court. He is regularly called upon to provide advice on varied matters such as restructuring and redundancy, disciplinary matters, termination of employment and health and safety.
Matthew takes a practical approach to solving employment relationship problems. His strengths include his ability to provide sound legal advice that is able to be understood, and his ability to focus on generating solutions for his clients.
Penny is a partner at SBM Legal. She has over thirty years of broad legal experience. In the course of her career Penny has worked for the NZ Department of Labour as a solicitor, as an employers' representative and solicitor with the national employers' organisation, as a barrister sole before forming this specialist employment law firm. As a result she brings an extensive insight into the practical implications of employment relationship problems for her clients.
Penny has advised and represented many of New Zealand's largest employers in bargaining, dispute resolution, restructuring, management of change, consultation and litigation in both employment and civil jurisdictions. She is regarded as an outstanding advocate and has appeared in many leading cases at all levels including the Court of Appeal. Her expertise is acknowledged by prestigious international legal publications Who's Who Legal, Chambers Asia Pacific and Asia Pacific Legal 500.
Penny has also served as a Convener of the ADLS Employment Law Committee, made submissions on behalf of the Law Society and others to Select Committees on legislative change, provided educational road shows for the Law Society, and is a regular speaker at ADLS, NZLS and private conferences.
Tim has an LLB from the University of Otago and was admitted to the bar in 2003. He has specialised in employment law in New Zealand for all of his legal career. Tim appears regularly in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court.
He has a particular expertise in industrial relations, and his experience includes advising on:
Strikes and lockouts, including strikes and lockouts in essential services;
Collective bargaining and facilitated bargaining;
Personal grievances;
Disputes over the interpretation of employment agreements;
Transfers of undertakings and matters arising under Part 6A Employment Relations Act 2000;
Holidays, parental leave, KiwiSaver and minimum wage issues;
ACC reviews; and
Restraints of trade and related issues.