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About us

Your specialist employment law firm

Copeland McAllister is your specialist employment law firm, providing expert legal services in employment law, health and safety, and immigration.

With offices throughout the South Island, including Invercargill, Queenstown, Wanaka, Central Otago, Dunedin and Timaru, and servicing clients throughout New Zealand, we provide clear, pragmatic advice tailored to your needs.

From contracts to compliance, cowsheds to corporate – and everything in between – we’ll help you cut through complexity and move forward with confidence. 

Our expertise

We specialise in employment law, health and safety, and immigration, helping businesses and individuals navigate workplace challenges with confidence. Our services include:

 

Who we work with

We support a wide range of clients — from local councils and national companies to small businesses, contractors, and employees across every industry.

Whether you need help with disciplinary issues, restructuring, performance management, or disputes, our employment lawyers are here to guide you every step of the way.

We’re lawyers at work – so you can get on with yours.

See our full range of services

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

Lauren Foster

Solicitor

Rebecca Brough

Senior Executive Assistant to Directors

Sophie Dawson

Executive Assistant/Receptionist

Our approach

Because we are a specialist employment law firm, you can trust that our team are the experts across employment law, health and safety and immigration. We live and breath employment law – so you don’t have to. 

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1. We simplify it and help manage the stress
Employment law, health and safety and immigration can be complex and stressful – that’s why we’re the experts you can trust to break it down, simplify it and work with you to find the best solution. Our reputation has been built on decades of experience. While it might all be new to you – for us, it’s what we do every day.
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2. We listen and understand your needs
Every workplace issue is different. We listen first, then provide tailored, practical advice. Our employment lawyers are well equipped to come up with tried and tested solutions that work in the real world. We’ll also keep the big picture in mind, while considering the small details so we can assess the best course of action.
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Local expertise, South Island wide
With offices in Queenstown, Dunedin, Central Otago, Timaru, we are proud to serve workplaces across the South Island. Wherever you're based, you'll receive consistent, expert support from our team of employment law specialists.
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4. We bring perspective
When issues feel overwhelming, we help find clarity. With experience and distance, we guide you towards practical, balanced solutions.
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5. We believe in being proactive
We don’t just solve problems, we help prevent them. Our team delivers bespoke training and workshops so you and your staff have the knowledge to manage workplace issues confidently.

Our communities

We are passionate about the communities we live in and are committed to giving back. Copeland McAllister supports a wide range of organisations and initiatives including:
  • 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

Contact Us

If you need expert advice on employment law, health and safety, or immigration, get in touch with Copeland McAllister today. Our team is ready to help you navigate workplace challenges with confidence.

 

Contact our team today

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