Our People

Johanna Drayton

BA, LLB (Hons) University of Canterbury

Johanna has over 25 years post admission experience. She commenced her career at a large law firm (now known as DLA Piper) and later became a partner in a boutique litigation law firm.  She completed her honours degree in privacy law. Her clients are public and private sector employers and employees.

Johanna is an experienced independent workplace investigator. She is available to carry out independent investigations for employers into complaints arising in the workplace relating to a raft of concerns including alleged workplace bullying and harassment. She passed the exams for the AHI Training Institute for Workplace Investigators in Atlanta, GA in 2018 and holds the AWI-CH distinction for Workplace Investigators. She is a committee member of the Australasian branch of AWI who assist with providing webinars for AWI members.

Johanna has significant experience and expertise in all aspects of employment practice and advocacy. She regularly presents at seminars, and conferences, and provides targeted training for clients.

She has published on Privacy, Official Information and the Human Rights Act. Johanna is a member of the New Zealand Law Society, New Zealand Law Society Employment Law Committee (Wellington Branch), and the Wellington Women Lawyers’ Association.

She is a Board Member of Vitae, a nationwide provider of workplace wellness and counselling services.

Jordan Boyle

LLB Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington
Jordan graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 2014 and was admitted to the Bar in September 2014. He joined Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law in 2016.

Jordan strategically advises employers and employees on a range of employment law matters including personal grievances, privacy issues, performance management, disciplinary and restructuring processes, and reviewing and drafting employment agreements and policies. Jordan is usually able to pragmatically resolve contentious matters through negotiation and mediation. Where matters are not able to be resolved Jordan has consistently achieved successful outcomes through litigation. Jordan has appeared at all levels of courts and authorities, from the Employment Relations Authority to the Supreme Court.

Jordan’s approach with clients is focused on relationship building and achieving pragmatic, interest-based results. Jordan is able to assess potential outcomes, advise on reasonable steps and how to achieve the best possible outcome in the circumstances. When acting for individuals he has a track record of acting quickly to achieve beneficial results, allowing clients to move on from the stressors surrounding their employment relationship problem.

Jordan is an experienced workplace investigator, undertaking independent investigations for employers of all sizes in the public and private sector on a range of issues.

Imke Kitchin

Imke graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka in May 2023 and was admitted to the Bar in March 2023. She joined Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law in 2022.

Imke has a passion for assisting clients to navigate challenging employment issues in a focused and pragmatic manner. She has experience assisting clients in a variety of employment matters including personal grievances and collective bargaining. Her interest in employment law was sparked during summers working in Hawke’s Bay where she worked as a fruit picker and in the freezing works.

In her spare time Imke enjoys being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. Imke has experience in high performance sport environments for both rowing and netball.

Through Imke’s involvement with her iwi Ngāti Kahungunu she has a rich understanding of tikanga and respect and appreciation for Māori culture. She has strengthened her knowledge through affiliations with the Growth Project, a programme designed to help Māori reach their full potential in the workplace.

Lachlan Spence

Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana, Ngāi Tuhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Kāi Tahu. Lachlan joined the firm for a full-time position in January 2024 after a year of part time work at Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law. Lachlan started at DDELaw working as the firm’s Māori Summer Intern. He finished studying for his LLB and BA majoring in Political Science at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington at the end of 2023. Since his admission to the High Court in July 2024, he has been a Lawyer at DDELaw.

Lachlan has previous work experience as an intern at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in the Employment Standards team, which ignited his keen interest in Employment Law, specifically focussing on the status of contractors. Lachlan is also a busy musician and musical administrator, performing in many of New Zealand’s best brass ensembles and having served as an elected member of the Brass Band Association of New Zealand for two terms.

Claudia Langley

Claudia graduated with an LLB BCom majoring in Information Systems from Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka in December 2023 and she was admitted to the Bar in June 2024. Prior to joining Dyhrberg Drayton in September 2024, she worked as a Tax Consultant at Deloitte.

Claudia’s interest in employment law began during her time spent volunteering at Citizens Advice Bureau. In her free time, she enjoys playing netball, going to the gym and spending time with friends and family.

Alfonso Suerte Felipe

Alfonso graduated with an LLB and BCom from University of Canterbury in August 2022 and was admitted to the Bar in December 2023. He joined Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law in September 2024. Alfonso previously worked as a tech consultant where he primarily worked with public sector clients to build complex technical solutions within the cloud and engineering space.

Before moving to Wellington, Alfonso volunteered at the Philippine Consulate in Christchurch to provide consular services for the Filipino community nationwide. He discovered a passion for serving the community through the positive influence he had on those around him. Alfonso joined DDELaw as he hopes to make an impact to everyday people’s lives through employment law. In his spare time, he can be found playing basketball, enjoys learning about art, or spending quality time with his family.

Ruby Prescott

Ruby completed her LLB and BA majoring in Media Studies and Spanish at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington in June 2024. She has completed Profs and plans to be admitted to the Bar in March 2025. Ruby worked a variety of part-time retail jobs during her studies which piqued an interest in employment law and its related issues.

Outside of work Ruby enjoys spending time with friends and family, live music gigs, a good book and exploring Wellington’s many eateries and coffee shops.

Mandy Cosgrove

Prior to joining the team at Dyhrberg Drayton, Mandy was a Project Manager for the Ministry of Justice, responsible for the upgrade and installation of new information technology Audio Visual systems and services in the courthouses throughout New Zealand.

Mandy previously owned and operated her own Project Management firm for 14 years in the residential construction industry.

Mandy is responsible for supporting the partners and the team of lawyers and ensuring the smooth and successful operation of the firm. She is the first contact for clients and friendly face of the business.

Mandy is the busy mum of two active and social teenage boys. Mandy also loves to socialise and enjoys trail running, road running, and reading a good book.

Katie Wells

Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāi Takoto me Ngāpuhi hoki.

Katie has completed her fourth year of study towards a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Since undertaking her studies in 2021, Katie has been awarded the Gordon Orr prize for the top academic Māori law student and included on the Dean’s List for academic excellence. She joins Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law as a Summer Clerk on scholarship.

Katie has a passion for Māori development and believes the law can be a tool to achieve equity. Her interest in employment law was sparked while working long hours in retail during the busy Christmas season. She saw the importance of employment law in upholding basic rights and its interwoven presence in most people’s lives.

Outside of mahi, Katie sits on the Ngā Rangahautira executive (Māori Law Student’s Society) where she is responsible for faculty engagement with tauira Māori. When she can, Katie often returns to her tūrangawaewae in the far north to visit her whanau.