Douglas Lawyers – Strategic, Experienced, Pragmatic.
Jo Douglas, Principal
Jo has extensive experience across all aspects of employment law. Her career has included working as an employment advisor to the government, private practice in boutique law firms, in-house in a national employment law team in the UK, and managing a team of lawyers in an employers association. In 2014 she established her own practice.
Jo commonly appears in the MBIE mediation service, the Employment Relations Authority, and the Employment Court, representing and advocating for her clients.
Jo is known for her timely, pragmatic, and strategic advice.
Jo advises clients on best practice employment law covering all facets of the employment relationship, including privacy, human rights, triangular employment relationships, managing disciplinary processes, poor performance, restructuring, medical and psychological capability, personal grievances, advice on bullying and investigations, discrimination law, employment standards, pay equity issues, and contractor versus employee status issues.
She supports alternative HR strategies for bringing about long-term change, in employee engagement and positive workplace culture.
Whether assisting corporate managers, business owners or employees, Jo is passionate about helping people achieve their employment objectives.
Credentials
LLB, BA (Political Studies), Otago University.
Admitted: 1999
Charmaine Heyes, Employment Advisor
Charmaine is an Employment Advisor who joined Douglas Lawyers in 2024 after graduating from University of Waikato.
She enjoys supporting individuals and businesses with early disputes resolution processes to achieve positive client outcomes and early settlement where possible.
While studying, Charmaine has worked as a National Employment Advocate for a not for profit charitable organisation supporting youth in employment.
She is keen to support better understanding of tikanga in employment law.
Her approach encourages inclusiveness and diversity. She supports all individuals having the opportunity to achieve their best while at work.
Charmaine has a strong interest in tikanga and youth issues.
She has conducted education workshops and representation for union and non-union organisations in employment law. She is knowledgeable in the areas of employment status, performance and disciplinary processes, apprenticeships, medical incapacity, ACC, harassment (bullying and sexual harassment), alternative tikanga methods and personal grievances.
Charmaine is an active member of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (The New Zealand Māori Law Society), having served as Tauira Tumuaki on the executive board from 2019 to 2020.
In her spare time, you will find her on the pickleball court. She once traveled to Hainan, China for Mauy Thai to compete in this martial art.
Credentials
LLB, University of Waikato, 2024.
Office Address: 65 Alpha Street, Cambridge 3434
Postal Address: PO Box 339, Cambridge 3450
DDI: 09 320 1699
E: info@douglaslawyers.co.nz
