Our foundations

Dundas Street was formed in April 2013 as the continuation of an existing practice run by our partners Susan Hornsby-Geluk and Blair Scotland.

Since then we have grown to a team of 9 specialist lawyers - one of the biggest in New Zealand.

Our team

We work in an open plan office - even the partners. This allows us to take a collaborative approach and to create a learning and supportive environment for our lawyers. Because we work as a team, you can be confident that your work will be done on time and at the most cost effective level.  

 

Our philosophy

We don't apply a one size fits all. We listen to what our clients want and then work with them to deliver a practical solution.

Our Approach

Clear

We give succinct, easy to understand, easy to implement advice.

Fresh

We are energetic and creative.

Sharp

We provide cutting edge, strategic advice.

Our Story

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Dundas Street, Dunedin, New Zealand

Dundas Street was formed in April 2013 as the continuation of an existing practice run by our partners Susan Hornsby-Geluk and Blair Scotland. Since then we have grown to a team of 9 specialist lawyers - one of the biggest in New Zealand.

But what inspired our name?

25 odd years ago a girl law student, with curly red hair flatted with 4 boy law students in Dunedin. They took turns at cooking in accordance with a strict roster and meal plan. On Tuesday nights it was Hungarian Goulash and on Wednesday nights Apricot Chicken Supreme.

Over dinner the unusually earnest and focused students debated the important matters of the day and also what they would do when they grew up.

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Two wanted to become partners in a large auspicious law firm, marry beautiful women and have children. And so it was. Two wanted to go into business roles. And so they did.

The fifth, the girl with the curly hair dreamed of becoming a spiky blonde and running her own specialist employment practice. And so it was that this firm was first conceived, over Hungarian Goulash in a Dunedin flat in Dundas Street.

Awards and Affiliations

Dundas Street is widely recognised by the New Zealand legal fraternity and international ranking agencies as a leading firm.

Awards

Affiliations

Awards

New Zealand Law Awards

Dundas Street was named the Specialist Employment Law Firm of the year at the 2019 New Zealand Law Awards. We have won this award 3 times over the past 5 years, clearly establishing our place as the pre eminent employment practice.

Comments from judges included:

'Impressed by the nature of new clients brought on and the extent and complexity of work undertaken'; 'clearly demonstrates highest standards of excellence in client service and specialist expertise across a broad range of complex work'

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Legal 500

Dundas Street is recognised as a top tier firm by Legal 500 which is one of the two top international ranking agencies. Legal 500 conduct extensive research and reference checking on an annual basis prior to publishing their rankings.

Susan is in the Hall of Fame, while Blair and Ros are ranked as a Leading Individuals, and Chloe as a Rising Star.

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Chambers & Partners

Dundas Street is also recognised by international ranking agency Chambers and Partners as a Band 2 firm.

Susan is recognised as only one of two Band 1 lawyers. Blair is ranked in Band 3, Ros is ranked in Band 4, and David is Up and Coming.

Affiliations

Human Resources NZ

Dundas Street has a long standing relationship with HRNZ - Human Resources New Zealand, the largest association of Human Resources Professionals.

Dundas Street and HRNZ have partnered to present Employment Law courses for the last six years.

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Nikau Foundation

Susan is a board member of the Nikau Foundation a unique charitable trust that receives donations and bequests, administering and distributing them for the benefit of the Wellington region.

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What our clients say...

Facing an unexpected and very difficult employment situation in a high-profile public role, the best decision I made was contacting Susan and her team. They worked with me proactively and turned what started as a harrowing experience, to one where I felt we had control.

The team helped me to negotiate an exit with fair compensation, and - most importantly - in a way that managed my reputation. 

I cannot recommend Susan and the team highly enough.

Individual Client 2021,