PHILOSOPHY
HR & Dispute Solutions was set up by Megan Williams in 2001.
The business has had notable successes in both the Employment Relations Authority and the ACC Appeal Court.
HR & Dispute Solutions is not a law firm – it is an alternative dispute resolution, Human Resource Management and Advocacy service.
In real terms, this means we will find the best solution for you at a reasonable price.
HR & Dispute Solutions are able to advise you on how to take a matter to the appropriate review, tribunal or court, if other means fail
DIRECTORS
Megan is a graduated state school dental nurse and worked for several years in London as a medical secretary. After returning to New Zealand she owned and operated flower shops for 15 years. She served one term on the Hawkes Bay Regional Council and four terms on the Hastings District Council. In addition she served as a lay person on the Hawkes Bay Legal Services Committee, Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Conservations Board and the New Zealand Dental Technicians Board. She is currently a Director of Air Hawkes Bay Ltd. and Dispute Solutions 2001 Ltd.
She has a Master of Business Studies Degree with Honours in Dispute Resolution (Mediation/Arbitration) and a Bachelor of Business Studies in Communication Management. She is on the Panel and a Fellow of the Mediators and Arbitrators Institute of New Zealand and a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. She has the Certificate in Making Good Decisions required to work as a Resource Management Commissioner and has a certificate in Family Court Mediation.
In December 2004 she completed six years working as a Dispute Tribunal Referee in the Napier Court. She has worked on a part time basis lecturing in Human Resource Management at degree level. She has the Certificate in “Making Good Decision” from the University of Auckland. She has a certificate in Company Direction. She owns and operates a Human Resource Management and Dispute Resolution business called HR & Dispute Solutions which specializes in ACC and Employment law, Human Resource Management, Change Management, Corporate Supervision & Coaching, along with mediation.
Catherine Murray opened the Auckland doors of HR & Dispute Solutions in 2007 and brings with her a variety of additional skills including people management, project management and customer service excellence.
Catherine has a Bachelor of Business Studies Degree in marketing and finance from Massey University. She has experience at working in a number of industry sectors including manufacturing, customer service, finance, retail and transport. She began her career by managing a flower shop for three years before attending university and upon graduating worked in various management roles. In 2001 Catherine began working with the Swedish Volvo Ocean Racing Team, “Assa Abloy”, and travelled around the world as part of the management of the shore crew during the 2001-2002 Volvo Ocean Race. Upon returning to New Zealand she joined the World’s largest global shipping company (Maersk Line) where she assisted the management team through the acquisition of P&O Nedlloyd. In 2007 Catherine joined as a Director of HR & Dispute Solutions (a Human Resource Consulting, Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Business).
Catherine has two young children and is a keen squash player having represented Auckland at a national level in both 2004 and 2005.
ASSOCIATES
ELIZABETH PHILIPS
Elizabeth is welcomed by the directors of Dispute Solutions to associate with them. Her particular experience will enhance the service Dispute Solutions can offer to persons who are not satisfied with a decision made under the Accident Compensation Act 2001, whether employers who dispute a work injury or levy matter, or claimants who dispute a decision about cover, treatment, rehabilitation, weekly compensation, lump sum and other entitlements. Alternatively, before a decision is made, Elizabeth is able to help claimants to talk with ACC or their accredited employer to get a fair and appropriate outcome for each.
Trained as a physiotherapist and with a degree in psychology, Elizabeth earned a post-graduate diploma in Rehabilitation to fit herself for work as an ACC case manager . Some 10 years later ACC appointed her to represent the Corporation at Review , and that role has enabled Elizabeth to develop a detailed understanding of most aspects of the ACC legislation, considerably refined by her on-going study for the Graduate Diploma in Dispute Resolution. Elizabeth has applied for graded membership of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ).
Additionally Elizabeth offers advocacy services and/or support to draft submissions for adjudications relating to construction contracts, resource management, employment matters, deficient products or service. She is able to draft submissions for presentation to a grants committee.
When she is not developing reasoned arguments, Elizabeth shifts plants around her lifestyle block west of Hastings, cares for an assortment of animals, vicariously experiences brave new things through her adult children, and is an active member of her church.
KAREN CLARKIN
Karen is an accredited mediator and professional member of the Resolution Institute of New Zealand. She has more than 15 years experience in advocacy and social work in the government, community and health arenas. She has years of experience working with people with disabilities and communicating with youth. Karen believes individuals and families are empowered when they have information and options, when they have a voice, and when they are able to be heard. She sees her role as an advocate and mediator as an enabler of that voice.
Demonstrated skills include preparing for and facilitating meetings, attentive listening, creative problem solving, attention to detail, and a strong desire to succeed.
Karen is also a volunteer interviewer at the Citizens Advice Bureau. She loves supporting members of the public to access information and options in order to find a way forward. She is a partner, mother, grandmother and in her downtime she enjoys cycling our many bike paths and getting away in the caravan. She is a welcome member of the Dispute Solutions team focusing on ACC advocacy, Family Dispute Resolution Mediation, Voice of the Child and Preparation for Mediation.
