Phillipa Muir Email & Phone Number

In 2023 I became Board Chair at Simpson Grierson, where I’m also a Senior Partner in our national Employment Law practice. I’m also a Non-Executive Independent Director of Delegat Group Ltd, a Trustee of the Sweet Louise Foundation, and the immediate past-Chair of Fletcher Building’s Employee Educational Fund.I’ve acted for many of Aotearoa’s major corporations and public sector organisations on employment matters (highlights including appearing in the first successful stress damages case to go to the Court of Appeal, and the first employment law case to go to New Zealand's Supreme Court). I also regularly provide strategic advice to boards.I have expertise in conduct and culture reviews and I have undertaken a number for major sports and other organisations, most recently NZ Rugby’s Black Ferns and the NZ Football Ferns.I was a co-author of three Brookers texts: ‘Employment Law’, ‘Recruitment & Termination’ and ‘Employment Contracts’, and I’m proud to have recognition from the industry, including being named as a Leading Lawyer for many years, most recently in 2024 in both the Asia Pacific Legal 500 and Chambers Asia Pacific.

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  Partner

  Simpson Grierson

  1989 - Present

  Phillipa is a partner at Simpson Grierson.Phillipa heads Simpson Grierson's employment law group. She acts for many of New Zealand's major corporations, tertiary institutions, and local government bodies.Phillipa has successfully argued several leading cases in new areas of employment law. These include the first major damages claim brought by an employer against a union, the first successful stress damages case to go to the Court of Appeal, and the first employment law case to go to New Zealand's Supreme Court.• Asia Pacific Legal 500 Employment 2015 - Leading Lawyer• Australasia Women in Business Law Awards 2014 & 2012 - Best in Workplace Relations, Employment & Safety• The International Who's Who of Management Labour & Employment Lawyers 2013 - Leading Lawyer • Chambers Global Employment 2011 - Leading Lawyer • PLC Which Lawyer? Labour & Employee Benefits 2011 - Leading Lawyer • AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers Guide 2009 - Leading Labour & Employment Lawyer GOVERNANCE ROLES• Chair – Fletcher Building Employee Educational Fund (2000-present);• Chair – Auckland Writers Festival (2014; Trustee since 2007);• Deputy Chair – Auckland Grammar School Board of Trustees (2015; Board member since 2009); • Board Member - global Employment Law Alliance (2011-present).PAST GOVERNANCE ROLES• Director – Health Alliance NZ Ltd (2011-2013);• Director – Genesis Power Ltd (1999-2004);• Director – ECNZ (1997-1999);• Deputy Chair – Transport Accident Investigation Commission (1996-2002); • Board Member – Simpson Grierson (1999-2002);• Convenor – NZLS Employment Law Committee (1995-2000);• President – Auckland Women Lawyers' Association (1988-1990).PUBLICATIONS• Co-author: Brookers "Employment Contracts" (published 1991, updated until 2000);• Co-author: Brookers "Recruitment & Termination" (published 1996, ongoing);• Co-author: Brookers "Employment Law" (published 2000, ongoing).

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  University Of Otago

  Ba/Llb