Jaesen Sumner

Employment, Commercial Dispute Resolution, and Insolvency Lawyer

I was admitted to the bar in 1997 and since then I have practiced in employment law, commercial dispute resolution, insolvency and recovery law and regulatory enforcement.

Commercial insolvency and creditor remedies comprise a significant part of my work; having developed experience and expertise in those areas over a number of years.

Employment Law

In the employment area I can help you on a wide range of matters, including restraints of trade, health & safety legislation, the Holidays Act, disciplinary action, copyright, restructuring and redundancies, dismissals and performance management issues up to chief executive level. 

I have worked with LawHawk on their automated employment agreement, and our joint custom employment agreement review and automation service, and as a result our team can offer you a very efficient employment agreement service.

Insolvency and Litigation

I have extensive experience in acting for liquidators, receivers, and creditors. I’m regularly instructed in commercial, civil, employment and building litigation, medico-legal matters and local authority regulation as a prosecutor.

I literally wrote the book on District Court Litigation! 

Disputes

I also help corporate and individual clients in resolving significant disputes. My expertise encompasses a wide range of matters from mediation to High Court and Court of Appeal hearings.

In 2012 I qualified as a mediator and became a Resolution Institute Accredited Panel Member available to accept mediation instructions in Wellington and Wairarapa.

Examples of Experience

Examples of areas I am experienced in and can help you with include:

- Drafting and advising employers on employment agreements, avoiding employment disputes, and resolving any disputes that do arise

- Security and debt realisations and recoveries including voidable preference issues and director claims 

- Company and Shareholder disputes

- Injunctions

- Disputes arising out of warranty issues in mergers and acquisitions

- Leasing disputes

- Estate Litigation

- Medical appeals involving administrative decisions

- Defending challenges to regulatory decisions in environmental and construction matters

- Construction contract disputes and “leaky building” dispute claims (WHRS and High Court)

- Lead prosecutor for building and specialised environmental matters

Affiliations

I am an active member of the New Zealand Credit and Finance Institute, the New Zealand Insolvency Special Interest Group, an affiliate and board member of the New Zealand Institute of Building Wellington Chapter and Resolution Institute Accredited Panel member.

I am currently Chairman of Old Boys University rugby club in Wellington.