Staff

Phil Butler has many years experience in industrial and employment relations and is the Director of Phil Butler and Associates Limited. While he has been admitted to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, he does not practise as a lawyer preferring instead to operate a company providing advocacy and consultancy services to employers and employees alike.

Phil is regarded as one of Canterbury’s leading employment advocates. He is known for having both an excellent understanding of his client’s case, the law and what it provides and advocacy skills that are amongst the best.

Phil is a parent of three children in their twenties.

His experience as a parent allows him to appreciate the competing demands of work and family facing many employers and employees.

Carla has recently joined the business. She was admitted to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2008 but has chosen not to take out a lawyer's practising certificate and is instead practising as an Employment Advocate.

Carla did not go to University straight from school. She worked as a shop assistant, a food service worker and an office worker before deciding she wanted to become a lawyer. She announced this decision to Karen, her supermarket supervisor. She responded “You? Yeah right”. Karen’s scepticism was clearly wrong.

Carla won an award from the New Horizons for Women Trust which supports women returning to education. She and her two children shifted from Southland to Christchurch where she completed her law degree.

Carla’s background has equipped her with an understanding of the problems clients face both at and outside of work. She is very professional, articulate and blessed with a sense of humour that provides a balanced approach to her practice.

Joe has recently joined the business. He will be working part-time while studying and full-time over the University vacations. Like Carla, Joe did not go to University straight from school. He has worked in the retail sector and the building industry for the last six years. He therefore brings to the business a contemporary understanding of employment and the labour market. Joe has a talent for writing. He therefore will be contributing blogs to our website.

Joe’s calm manner, analytical skills and humour will provide clients with certainty that they are in good hands.

Val has recently joined our staff. She has extensive experience in the small business sector. She appreciates the financial and adminstrative difficulties facing small business owners. She understands the dynamics of employment in that sector.

if you want an update on your account or your case then contact Val. If she does not know the answer immediately you can rely on her to get you the answer.

Her calm and professional manner gives you confidence that you are in safe hands.