Mike Gould - Partner

About Mike Gould

Career to date

"I worked in the Public Trust Office while completing my LLB and joined Gibson Sheat in 1985, becoming a partner in 1987. I have extensive experience in trusts, estate administration and general commercial work.  I currently specialise in employment law."

Mike heads Gibson Sheat's Employment Law team.  He has comprehensive experience in this area having specialised in employment law since 1990.  Mike appears regularly in mediations, the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court

A career highlight for Mike was in 2006 when he was counsel in the high profile landmark "Lord of the Rings" employment case in the Supreme Court.  It was the first case before that court addressing the issue of whether a worker was a contractor or an employee. Mike successfully argued that the appellant was an employee of Weta Digital, not an independent contractor.

Professional Associations and Community Organisations

• Vice President of Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce,
• Employment Law sub-committee of the Wellington District Law Society,
• Cricket Wellington Code of Conduct Commissioner,
• Citizen's Advice Bureau Volunteer.

My approach to working with my clients

My approach is, I hope, friendly and jargon free. I attempt to find practical, quick solutions to my clients' issues.

A lot of my work is advising employers about how best to deal with employees in a range of situations, from disciplinary matters through to the correct process for restructuring and redundancies. Clients get real value when they talk to me beforehand about how to do things, or get me involved early when a problem arises. I always look for ways to settle disputes quickly and cost-effectively.

The best piece of advice I've ever been given

"Do the hard things first". I can't remember who told me that but it's good advice.

What motivates me

I enjoy problem-solving, talking to people, analysing the law and applying it to peoples' disputes. Interaction with my colleagues, both within the firm and outside it, is also important to me.

What I enjoy outside of work

Time with my wife and children, playing golf, movies and reading.