Harrison Stone

Harrison Stone is a boutique law firm that specialises in employment and education law.  Richard Harrison and Gretchen Stone offer pragmatic advice and support on all aspects of employment and education law, including: 

  • Employee competency and disciplinary processes;

  • Surplus Staffing issues;

  • Personal grievance claims;

  • Health and safety compliance;

  • Independent investigations;

  • Student disciplinary processes;

  • Student suspension decisions;

  • Social media within the school environment;

  • Board of Trustee and governance issues; and

  • Mediation and litigation representation and advocacy.

Harrison Stone’s philosophy is to provide practical and pragmatic advice wherever possible, so that we can resolve our client’s legal issues in the most efficient manner possible.  As employment and education specialists we are well placed to ensure that we are up to date with Education Act and Employment Relations Act changes, Education Council requirements, school compliance obligations, and case law developments that can impact on New Zealand schools.

Harrison Stone has acted as the legal advisors for SPANZ for almost 20 years, and in that time we have developed significant expertise and practical experience in the issues that schools face in New Zealand.  Gretchen is also the Honorary Solicitor for Auckland Primary Principals’ Association.  Richard has represented principals and boards in the leading judicial review and employment law cases within the education context.  Both Richard and Gretchen frequently present at national Education Law Conferences and have written numerous papers on all aspects of employment and education law.

GRETCHEN STONE - PARTNER

M 021 947 147
E gretchen@harrisonstone.co.nz

Gretchen Stone has practiced as a lawyer since 1997, and initially worked in the corporate and commercial area.  Since 2002 Gretchen has specialised in employment and education law. As well as providing legal advice to SPANZ principals, Gretchen is the Honorary Solicitor for the Auckland Primary Principals’ Association, and acts for a number of schools and businesses. 

Gretchen enjoys working with clients to find pragmatic and effective solutions to legal problems.   Gretchen has served as a Board member of primary and secondary schools for many years, and is currently on the Board of Waiheke High School and the Board of Proprietors of Lindisfarne College. 

Gretchen has expertise across all areas of employment and education law including health and safety, media and social media, student discipline, surrender and retention, governance issues, restructuring processes, and performance management and disciplinary processes for professional and non-professional staff.

Gretchen frequently presents at education law conferences, and provides training to Boards and senior leadership teams on all areas of employment and education law. 

RICHARD HARRISON PARTNERM 027 221 1033 P 09 377 3173 richard@harrisonstone.co.nz

RICHARD HARRISON - Barrister & Solicitor

M 027 221 1033
E richard@harrisonbarrister.co.nz

Richard Harrison is a barrister practising in areas of civil litigation including education and employment law. He has been in practice for over 35 years and his association with SPANZ has been nearly as long. Richard’s areas of industry experience cover education, health, manufacturing, insurance, finance and service industries. Richard still undertakes some civil litigation work, but is primarily involved in advising organisations (including Boards and principals) and individuals with legal issues, and developing strategies for achieving outcomes or resolution.

JACK STONE - LAWYER

M: 022 0100930
E: jack@harrisonstone.co.nz

Jack began his legal career working in general civil litigation in Hawkes’ Bay, working primarily in the areas of employment, property, and dispute resolution.  In 2023, Jack moved to Australia and was admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.  

Jack worked for a commercial Sydney law firm in construction litigation, primarily on major building defect claims throughout Sydney.  In August 2024, Jack returned home to join Harrison Stone.  

Jack is passionate about working alongside clients and supporting schools in all areas of employment and education law. To date, Jack has worked with Boards and Principals on matters of teacher competence and discipline, student discipline, parent complaints, Teaching Council processes, and privacy and OIA requests.