Presenters

Daniel Church, Senior Staff Barrister, Hobson Towers West
Daniel Church is a Senior Staff Barrister in Catherine's team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2015, and joined Catherine's practice in early 2017 to further his passion for practising in employment law. Daniel regularly appears as counsel in the Employment Relations Authority and as second counsel to Catherine in the Employment Court. He has also appeared as counsel before the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal defending charges brought by the Complaints Assessment Committee. Daniel regularly assists clients with investigations in the Employment Relations Authority, mediations, reviewing and amending employment agreements and policies to ensure compliance with current legislation, personal grievances, redundancies and negotiated exits. He has assisted companies with major restructurings and represented them in union negotiations, as well as representing both employers and employees in disciplinary and performance management processes. Daniel also has conflict resolution experience and is able to assist with mediating disputes between employees. He presents seminars at conferences on employment and education law matters which are topical and of particular interest to school leaders.

Shelley Kopu, Lawyer, Shelley Kopu Law
Ko Taranaki te maunga, ko Tokomaru te waka, ko Te Atiawa te iwi, ko Puketapu rāua ko Pukerangiora oku hāpu. As a specialist employment lawyer, mediator and investigator, Shelley is experienced in traversing the intricacies of the employment relationship across a broad range of industries including education, health, kaupapa Māori, government, finance, sports and iwi. Shelley’s practice is complimented by her directorships with Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa (Post Settlement Iwi), Papa Rererangi i Puketapu (New Plymouth Airport) and Tui Ora (Health) as well as voluntary positions with Youthline and St Peters College. These unique attributes differentiate Shelley’s approach to the law and she is committed to addressing the challenges that arise in the employment relationship with a Te Ao Māori lens in a manner that honours Tikanga Māori. Shelley understands and recognises the importance of both a commercial and cultural lens when determining the best strategy for her clients and her indigenous and pragmatic approach is well regarded by those who seek out a sensitive and culturally appropriate practitioner.