SBM Legal acts for leading corporations, government agencies, health boards, senior executives and unions in a wide range of employment litigation. Its experience includes health & safety, Holidays Act and group litigations. The firm is also well-versed in conducting independent workplace investigations. The team is led by Anthony Russell, who focuses on the health, education and infrastructure sectors. Penny Swarbrick advises clients in the retail sector, conducting a number of workplace investigations. Bridget Smith cements the firm’s investigation expertise. Matthew McGoldrick and Tim Oldfield are also noted members of the team.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Highly regarded with good relationships across the ER community. Is able to dispense pragmatic, not just legal, advice.’
‘Penny Swarbick is in tune with current dynamics and players in the ER space. She has a unique knowledge of the retail industry and is particularly adept at learning how a business works so that she can best provide legal advice.’
Key clients
- KiwiRail Limited
- Waitemata – Te Whatu Ora Health NZ
Work highlights
- Represented Te Whatu Ora – Waitemata in a very complex case that involved the inter-relationship of the legal concept of incompatibility and medical incapacity.
- Assisted a group of vulnerable migrant workers, pro bono, from Solomon Islands who didnot receive the minimum standards of employment required in New Zealand.