Special Counsel, Wellington
Nicola Cuervo

Contact
- Wellington office
- DDI +64 4 498 7325
- M +64 21 820 749
Profile
Nicola specialises in health law, information privacy, managing complaints, employment and industrial relations, and dispute resolution, and has particular expertise in the public health sector.
She has held senior in-house legal roles in the public and health sectors, and has a strong sense of what our clients want from their legal advisors. Recent achievements include her work in Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water and as counsel in a high-profile High Court defamation trial.
As a health lawyer, Nicola specialises treatment issues (including consent to treatment, competency issues and mental health), health information privacy, HDC investigations, Coronial inquiries, in managing complaints and adverse events, and the regulation of health professionals.
As an employment lawyer, Nicola is an expert in disciplinary processes, bullying and harassment investigations, restructuring, personal grievances, and alternative dispute resolution.
Nicola has significant in-house experience, having been Principal Legal Advisor, Employee Relations at New Zealand Police and General Counsel at the national office of New Zealand's District Health Boards.
In addition to her New Zealand experience, Nicola has worked in London as in-house counsel to investment banks. She has graduate qualifications in viticulture, wine science, and Spanish.
Work highlights
Representing the Attorney-General
on behalf of New Zealand Police in a high-profile High Court defamation trial
Representing a District Health Board
at an Inquest in the Coroner’s Court
Undertaking a three-month secondment
to a Government Department as senior in-house counsel
Appearing before the Government Inquiry
into Havelock North Drinking Water for Hawke’s Bay District Health Board
Advising public and private health providers
on a broad range of issues including health information privacy issues, Health and Disability Commissioner investigations and reports, mental health, provision of services, and employment issues
Representing clients
at mediation and in the Employment Relations Authority
Alternate contacts
Hamish Kynaston
Partner, Wellington
Hamish specialises in employment relations, litigation, health law, health and safety, and education…
Peter Chemis
Partner, Wellington
Peter specialises in employment law, industrial relations and related areas, and leads Buddle Findlay’s national employment team…
Holly Hedley
Senior Associate, Wellington
Holly specialises in health, employment and privacy law. Her health expertise includes advising on treatment and consent…
- DDI +64 4 462 0925
- M +64 21 491 758