His practice spans complex workplace investigations, health, safety
Anderson Lloyd has congratulated James Cowan – an employment lawyer based in Dunedin, Otago, who focuses on employment and workplace law and disputes, with an emphasis on complex workplace investigations – on his recent promotion to partner.
“James is an innovative, lateral and at times unconventional thinker,” said John Farrow, who heads Anderson Lloyd’s employment practice along with Ashley-Jayne (AJ) Lodge and Cowan, in an update from the firm.
Anderson Lloyd described Cowan as a trusted adviser to clients across industries, who can help organisations navigate complex, confidential matters involving people and sensitive situations with precision and integrity.
“He is always willing to share his unique analysis, guide and mentor junior members of our team, and strongly argue his point even when he is in the minority,” Farrow added in the firm’s update. “His views both challenge and grow the teams he works with, and these same attributes help him provide sound, considered advice to clients.“
Cowan’s LinkedIn profile and his biography on the firm’s website provided more information regarding his legal practice, professional experience, and educational background.
He joined Anderson Lloyd in January 2018. Before joining the partnership, he worked as an employment/litigation lawyer. He has advised employers across the full spectrum of workplace legal issues.
Specifically, Cowan has handled matters involving workplace investigations, health and safety, restraint of trade, statutory compliance, disciplinary and performance matters, restructuring, privacy, protected disclosures (whistleblowing), and regulatory investigations.
He is vice president of the New Zealand Law Society’s Otago Branch Council and a former convenor of the Otago Employment Law Committee.
Cowan served as forensic investigations and financial crime manager at Deloitte New Zealand in Auckland from February 2014 to January 2018.
At Kensington Swan in Auckland, he worked as a litigation solicitor from July 2012 to February 2014 and as a litigation clerk from November 2011 to February 2012.
At Receivables Management (NZ) Limited in Dunedin, Cowan served as a debt collector from February 2012 to July 2012 and as a debt collection call centre supervisor from October 2007 to October 2011.
He earned admission to the bar in 2013. At the University of Otago, he obtained an LLB in 2011 and a BA majoring in philosophy, politics, and economics in 2012.
