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Welcome to Copeland McAllister

Who we are

At Copeland McAllister we set out to excite and delight those we work with. We provide specialist workplace law advice and representation. Our areas of expertise are employment, health and safety, and immigration.

Our lawyers are recognised experts in workplace law, with a well-established reputation for focused advice, practical guidance, and cost-effective results. As trusted partners to our clients, we provide a clear line of sight through all challenges and opportunities, using decades of specialist experience to achieve the desired results with speed and efficiency.

Meet the team

Janet Copeland

Managing Partner

Naoimh McAllister

Partner

Kristin Macdonald
Senior Associate

Anna Ford

Associate
Jahna Greenfield
Associate

Hannah Goddard-Coles

Associate
Grace Hurring
Senior Solicitor
Grace Wallace
Senior Solicitor
Lauren Foster

Solicitor

Rebecca Brough

Senior Executive Assistant to Directors

Sophie Dawson

Executive Assistant/Receptionist

Who we work for

Our clients range far and wide across the South Island, from local government to the rural sector, start-up enterprise to long-term SMEs to construction, healthcare, and transport. If you’re employing people in Aotearoa New Zealand, there’s a very high chance we’ve worked with companies in your industry.

How we work

Our reputation has been built on some non-negotiable standards and a company-wide mindset of empowerment through expertise.

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Your workplace is where we work too.
We are boots-on-the-ground lawyers, often travelling to meet clients where they work. This approach offers far more than simple convenience for these clients. It also provides them with the opportunity to talk freely and comfortably, and for us to see the wider landscape of their work. We can’t get this view from the office.
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We make the time.
Not all decisions can be multi-choice. However, if the option is there, you need to know about it. The efficiencies and cost-effectiveness that we bring to work will generally provide the opportunity to explore more approaches. We take pride in ensuring our clients can fully assess all options and move with confidence.
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Every organisation is greater than the sum of its parts.
No action occurs in isolation, and no strategy should be built within a vacuum. We focus on both the people and processes that make up any organisation, assessing the complete cost of any potential course of action and providing clarity across the big picture for our clients.
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It’s not about telling you what you want to hear.
A practical common-sense approach to legal guidance can never thrive without a close working relationship built on mutual respect and understanding. This arrangement provides us with the freedom to have the tough conversations when necessary.
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We can help find the calm within the storm.
Molehills can look like mountains when you are too close. A little time, distance, and experienced guidance can do wonders for a change in perspective, ensuring that any action is proportional, rational, and altogether practical.

Our communities

Copeland McAllister is passionate about the communities we live in and dedicated in our backing of local businesses and organisations. This work includes, but is not limited to, support for these organisations:

  • New Zealand Law Society Standards Committee, Southland Branch
  • New Zealand Law Society National Standards Committee
  • Law Association Health & Safety Committee
  • New Zealand Institute of Safety Management
  • Human Resources New Zealand
  • National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges
  • Recycle South
  • Pro-bono work for various clients, including Community Law Services
  • Governance on various charitable boards, including the Graeme Dingle Foundation and Southland Charity Hospital
  • Chamber of Commerce training and resource support
  • Seminars and conference support

Get InTouch

Regular insight, enlightenment, and entertainment from the Copeland McAllister team.