Emma von Veh has been appointed as a Wellington-based partner in the employment team.  Emma joined the firm in 2018 and is a respected employment specialist who advises public and private sector clients on all aspects of the employment relationship.  

More broadly, Emma often advises clients on their statutory, public law and contractual obligations, including in relation to human rights, conflicts of interest, governance and official information.  

Emma has extensive experience advising on collective and individual employment agreements, disciplinary processes, bullying and harassment investigations, restructuring, personal grievances, employment and industrial aspects of mergers, acquisitions and statutory transfers, contractor/employee disputes, health and safety, and human rights and privacy matters.  

Emma has represented clients in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, Court of Appeal, and Human Rights Review Tribunal, and regularly represents clients at mediation.  

Emma also has health law expertise and has worked in-house in the legal teams at the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner.  She advises on health information privacy, Health and Disability Commissioner investigations, and professional disciplinary matters.  

Helen Pryde has been appointed as a partner in the Auckland employment team, specialising in health and safety, employment, and insurance.  Helen joined the firm in early 2024 as a special counsel, and with her broad range of areas of expertise, will complement the partnership.  

Helen has particular expertise in handling WorkSafe investigations and prosecutions, performance management, disciplinary matters and processes (especially where issues may overlap with criminal law), restructuring and redundancy, restraints of trade, medical incapacity, and personal grievances.  Her insurance experience includes advising on indemnity for employment practice liability and statutory liability claims, as well as representing insured clients.  

Helen has expertise in dispute resolution and regularly represents clients at mediations.  She has represented clients in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, District Court and High Court.  She is an accredited mediator and undertakes independent investigations into workplace issues.  

With the addition of Emma and Helen as partners in Buddle Findlay’s national employment team, the firm now has 42% female representation in its partnership.   

Andrijana Milosavljevic is now a senior associate in the Auckland commercial litigation team. Andrijana specialises in commercial litigation and dispute resolution.  She has particular expertise in resolving complex contractual disputes, insolvency and property disputes. Andrijana has experience advising clients across a range of industries, including financial institutions, education providers, public sector bodies, insolvency practitioners and high net worth individuals.   

Seamus Barnett is now a senior associate in the Auckland banking team. Seamus specialises in banking and finance law and has experience in advising lenders and borrowers domestically and internationally.  He has a broad range of experience with an emphasis on leveraged and acquisition finance, syndicated lending, property finance and fund finance.

Chelsea Easter is now a senior associate in the Wellington environment and resource management team.  Chelsea specialises in resource management and environmental, Māori, conservation and public law.  She advises on a wide range of matters and processes including the consenting of complex infrastructure projects. Chelsea has particular expertise in appeals and judicial review and has appeared in the Environment Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.    

Emma Roper is now a senior associate in the Wellington corporate and commercial team. Emma specialises in all aspects of corporate law, supporting clients on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and investments, corporate structuring and ongoing corporate governance.  Emma has broad experience on corporate transactions domestically and internationally across a range of sectors, including technology, primary industry and energy. Emma also has experience in drafting and negotiating commercial and joint venture agreements.