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Carl Blake

He/himPartner
Carl Blake is an absolute standout, not only in the DLA team but across the NZ employment law landscape. His calm and pragmatic approach means matters get dealt with quickly and without the level of angst that often comes with the territory.
— Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024
Auckland
About

Carl is a partner in DLA Piper’s employment practice with over 25 years’ experience in all aspects of employment, health and safety and privacy laws.

Carl provides strategic advice to clients both locally and globally on all aspects of employment law, including corporate restructures, sales and purchases of businesses, personal grievances, employment agreements and policies, health and safety, Holidays Act compliance, investigations, human rights and privacy, accident compensation, and collective bargaining.

One of Carl’s key specialist areas is providing strategic advice on the employment law issues associated with the sale and purchase of businesses.

Carl’s previous experience with the Human Rights Commission provides him with unique insight and experience in New Zealand’s privacy and human rights laws.

Carl regularly presents at national employment law conferences and contributes to local and global legal publications. His interviews regular feature in the National Business Review

Carl has regular appearances at mediations and had led hearings before the Employment Relations Authority,Employment Court and Court of Appeal.

Areas of FocusEmploymentConsumer Goods, Food and RetailEnergy and Natural ResourcesFinancial ServicesHealthcareIndustrialsInfrastructure, Construction and TransportInsuranceLife SciencesMedia, Sport and EntertainmentTechnology
Professional QualificationsBarrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, 1993

EXPERIENCE

  • Represented clients before the Human Rights Review Tribunal, Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and Court of Appeal.
  • Advising New Zealand’s largest local government authority on various aspects of employment, health and safety and privacy laws.
  • Counsel for large Iwi organistion in test case regarding vendor consultation obligations in a business sale.
  • Advising multiple global and local organisations on the employment law aspects of sales and purchases of businesses.
  • Lead counsel for various organisation in successfully defending reinstatement and personal grievance proceedings.
  • Counsel in the leading case before the full Court of the Employment Court on good faith/consultation issues under the Employment Relations Act.
  • Undertaking investigations and reviews into matters including bullying, harassment and workplace culture.
  • Advising multiple global and local organisations on the application of the Privacy Act in an employment law and cross-border context.
Languages
  • English
Education
  • Auckland University, LLB

Awards

  • Legal 500 Asia Pacific , Next Generation Partner - 2025, 2024

Seminars

  • HR Law Masterclass, Legalwise

Prior Experience

  • Large New Zealand corporate law firm
  • Human Rights Commission

Publications

Multiple national and global publications on all aspects of employment law, including caselaw developments, law changes and trends.

My latest insights

Publication

Employment law impacts of the CoFI regime from 31 March 2025

4 April 2025 .5 minute read

Event

APAC employment seminar 2025 - Hong Kong

13 March 2025 .1 minute read

News

DLA Piper advises on Yamaha Motor’s acquisition of Robotics Plus

12 March 2025 .3 minute read

View All

Connect

Phone

+64 21 477 221
(Work, Auckland)
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