Michael O'Brien - Employment Law Specialist & Workplace Expert

Michael O'Brien is an employment law specialist with over 18 years' experience practising across the full spectrum of employment law in New Zealand. He provides tailored legal solutions that successfully navigate complex legal issues while considering commercial, interpersonal, and reputational factors. His practice serves employers, employees, and legal professionals, with particular expertise in collective bargaining and union issues, restraints of trade and confidentiality, restructures, workplace investigations, and employment issues arising in business acquisitions.

As a recognised expert in international legal rankings by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, Michael has acted in many precedent-setting cases in the employment jurisdiction. His notable achievements include obtaining the first without notice preservation orders in the Employment Court, securing significant penalty awards for restraint of trade breaches, and handling complex litigation involving aviation legislation interfaces with employment law. He regularly acts for New Zealand and international companies, providing strategic advice on collective bargaining, employment documentation, disciplinary processes, organisational change, and workplace investigations.

Michael also provides specialised services including external workplace investigations, mediation services, training programmes for HR teams and managers, and strategic assistance on employment matters. His client base spans multinational corporations, government organisations, and senior employees across various industries including telecommunications, healthcare, agriculture, and financial services. He offers comprehensive support for businesses establishing operations in New Zealand and assists legal practitioners requiring specialist employment law expertise.