Jessica Higgins

Jessica is a Senior Associate in our Employment team. She is based in the Dunedin office and works regularly from the Queenstown office. Jessica has almost a decade of experience advising on employment law matters.

Her practice covers preparing and advising on employment agreements and policies, disciplinary and performance processes, restructures and redundancies, and personal grievance claims. She has represented clients at mediation, in the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court. Jessica has a particular interest in education law within the employment context and regularly advises principals and school boards.

Jessica also advises on immigration matters and can assist both individuals and businesses with a range of immigration-related queries, including providing guidance on investor visa pathways such as the Active Investor Plus visa.

Jessica is a former co-convenor of the Otago Women’s Law Society and a Board member of Knox and Salmond College. Outside of work, Jessica is a qualified yoga instructor and enjoys practising yoga and spending time with her young family.

Publications

• Pathways to Residency in Aotearoa through investment
• Anderson Lloyd Webinar: Key Updates in Employment Law
• Immigration Shake-Up: Key Updates for Employers
• Siouxsie Wiles case highlights employer’s health and safety obligations
• Navigating the Intersection of Personal and Professional Relationships
• Today FM saga raises numerous employment issues
• Alternative working arrangements post the Omicron peak
• High Court Rules Police and Defence Force Vaccine Mandate is Unlawful
• Court of Appeal overturns decision on discretionary payments
• Court of Appeal overturns decision on discretionary payments
• Duty to consult, behave in good faith with employees
• Case round up: Gate Gourmet Appeal and Vaccination Case
• Employment Court Ruling on employee / contractor
• Builders beware – your contractors may actually be employees
• How to legally terminate redundant employees
• Fair Pay Agreement Plan Announced
• New Public Service Act and Workforce Assurance Model Standards
• New COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment
• COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme extension
• The cannabis referendum – what does it mean for workplace drug testing?
• Employment Obligations during Alert Levels 2 and 3
• What are your obligations under the Children’s Act 2014?
• Wage Subsidy Extension
• Wage Subsidy Extension
• Understanding leave entitlements during COVID-19