Sarah and her work

 

 

Sarah is attracted to the human element of employment law and employment relations

 

Sarah started specialising in employment law in 2010, and became a Resolution Institute Accredited Mediator in 2017. She has worked as a Senior Associate, in a well-known employment law firm, and as Manager Employment Relations and Employment Law (in-house counsel), for a large organisation. In 2020, Sarah was approved to practice on her own account and started her own business, Sarah Cates Employment Law, which provides employment law advice and mediation services.

Sarah advises employers, employees and unions from a range of industries on their legal rights and obligations in respect of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters.

Sarah is skilled at resolving employment relationship issues at an early stage, saving time, stress, expense, and uncertainty. As an experienced litigator, she also represents clients in legal proceedings.

 

Previous appearances

  • Employment Relations Authority

  • Employment Court

  • District Court

  • High Court

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Laws

  • Bachelor of Arts

  • Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language

  • Barrister and Solicitor (2010 admission)

  • Resolution Institute Accredited Mediator (2017 accreditation)

Current professional memberships

Sarah has a broad and inclusive worldview, and is able to communicate easily and effectively with others  

Sarah has lived in nine countries and travelled to more than thirty. She is fluent in Spanish and has a strong interest in Latin America. She has worked overseas and in sectors outside of the law including, retail, sales, motor vehicle, entertainment, food, recreation, not-for-profit, hospitality, and tertiary education.  

She is a learner of Te Reo Māori and has a keen interest in the relationship between employment law and tikanga Māori. She has expertise acting for individuals and organisations in a tikanga Māori context.

Sarah wants her clients to get the best advice and assistance possible. She has a large referral network and is able to refer clients to other experts, including independent investigators, mediators, career and conflict coaches, business advisors, and lawyers specialising in other practice areas.

Sarah is based in Wellington, but assists clients throughout Aotearoa. She meets with clients using online tools or in person, and is able to travel to other cities for meetings, mediation or hearings, in a cost-effective way.