Nicole Burt

Senior Associate Pouarataki Pāhake

Nicole is an experienced litigator who specialises in health and safety, public and general commercial law matters. She utilises her diverse professional background and wealth of experience to deliver pragmatic, strategic, and solutions focused advice tailored to meet the needs of her clients.

Nicole provides risk management, litigation and dispute resolution advice to both private and public sector clients in a range of industries, including utilities, construction, energy, insurance and infrastructure sectors. She acts for clients in litigation, independent reviews, regulatory investigations, and disputes.

Having worked on both sides of the coin on health and safety matters, Nicole brings a unique perspective to our health and safety work. She leverages her experience in the criminal courts to navigate the complex issues that can arise in these areas, and focuses on achieving sustainable results for her clients. She assists clients with the full range of work in this area, from undertaking independent reviews, advising on workplace incidents, responding to investigations and, as needed, defending prosecutions.

She is highly skilled in a range of public law matters, with extensive experience as in-house counsel for government agencies, and working for the Crown. In this capacity, she provided strategic advice on complex legal and policy matters. Her first-hand understanding of government operations and decision-making processes enables her to offer practical, actional advice to both public and private sector clients navigating intricate public law issues.

Prior to joining MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Nicole took some time away from her legal career to work as a management consultant at a ‘Big Four’ firm. During this time, Nicole undertook strategy and operating model work for a range of clients. This experience gives Nicole a unique perspective of the challenges businesses face and a deep understanding of client priorities, including commercial objectives, operational complexities, and risk management. Her ability to align legal solutions with broader business strategies ensures she provides advice that is not only legally sound but also commercially viable.

Nicole prides herself on her client-focused approach and ability to deliver results even in high-pressure environments. She enjoys building strong relationships with her clients to cement her understanding of the client’s needs and deliver work that meets those objectives.

Career highlights

Advising clients on a range of matters including health and safety, utilities and transport.

Acting for numerous clients in the public and private sectors injuries or fatalities occurring in workplaces. Also providing 'front-end' advice to assist clients ensure they have adequate health and safety systems in place.

Advising clients undertaking independent reviews into a range of issues including health and safety.

Advising clients on alleged breaches of human rights and representing clients through the Human Rights Review Tribunal Process.

Advising clients on contractual disputes arising in a range of circumstances, including the termination of licences, and commercial leasing disputes.

Navigating interactions with the public sector: Assisting clients to navigate their interactions with government agencies, crown entities, and local government bodies including navigating the Official Information Act 1982, the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, and Privacy Act 2020.