WINNER: Employment Law Specialist Firm of the Year

Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law

Ash Hill

Managing Partner

Ash Hill is a leading lawyer in New Zealand specialising in mergers and acquisitions and advising on complex matters including capital raising and fund formations. Recommended in 2022’s Legal 500 and ranked in Chambers & Partners’ Global and Asia-Pacific legal directories, he was also listed as one of the Best Lawyers in New Zealand 2024. Ash has been Managing Partner since 1 April 2023 and is an executive member of the board.

Managing Partner

Ash Hill

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As an independent, forward-thinking girls’ school we are committed to preparing girls for a lifetime of learning, leadership and engagement in our global community. We believe in girls. At Ruyton Girls’ School we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment, nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities that are essential to flourish. Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building their knowledge and skills about how to learn, and supporting them to achieve their personal best and be exemplary citizens. We believe in real-world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability. We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices, our girls effect positive change and make a difference.

Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law has a reputation for providing expert, highly responsive service to its clients. The firm uses its considerable commercial experience to help organisations in the critical area of successfully managing their staff. Its partners and lawyers work alongside chief executives, GMs and HR teams in a wide range of public and private sector organisations as trusted advisers providing strategic legal and HR advice, with a focus on cost-effectiveness and pragmatism. Client care sets this firm apart: people are well supported through very stressful disputes. Most matters the firm is involved in are resolved through negotiation and mediation, areas in which the firm’s lawyers are experts. When required, the firm’s lawyers have appeared at all levels of the court system and regularly appear in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court. Dyhrberg Drayton is a leader in the field of independent investigations. Its partners (who hold the AWI-CH distinction from the Training Institute for Workplace Investigators) and lawyers are sought after as skilled independent investigators into sensitive and complex issues. The firm’s lawyers are recognised as leading employment law experts who are in demand as engaging conference presenters across New Zealand.

Matthew Jones

COO

Matthew Jones is Wynn Williams’ Chief Operating Officer, responsible for ensuring the highest levels of service delivery to its clients and the smooth running of the business services function. He also oversees HR requirements, including the wellbeing of the firm’s staff and maintaining the unique Wynn Williams culture. Matthew is an executive member of the board.

COO

Matthew Jones

Joey James

Senior Associate

Joey James is a commercial litigation lawyer and dispute resolution specialist with extensive expertise in general civil disputes involving debt recovery and insolvency, contractual issues and company law. A commercially astute lawyer who implements robust and realistic legal strategies for clients, Joey played a significant role in acting for the liquidators of CBL Insurance Limited. He has a keen interest in the digitisation of document discovery, combining strategic thinking and innovative use of specialist technology to automate routine tasks, create efficiencies and speed, and improve accuracy.

Senior Associate

Joey James