Media Guide
Michael SmythLevel 4
The Old South British Building
3-13 Shortland Street
Auckland
New Zealand
Bio Sheet for Michael Smyth
Michael is the author of Employed But Not Engaged: How to break up with your employees and hold on to the ring - an entertaining book with a serious message. That message is that "disengaged employees" can cost business owners thousands of dollars in lost profit and should not be tolerated. Instead, Michael advises that companies should "free up their future" and regain control of their profits.In a book spanning 10 chapters, Michael debunks the myth that it is impossible to get rid of employees in New Zealand without paying sizeable severance payments and explains how to go about it. Michael is the owner of approachablelawyer.com a website dedicated to providing helpful and practical advice to business owners. He started practicing law as a commercial litigator in London where he litigated claims worth millions of pounds and was even involved the fraud case which saw the Bank of England change the £20 note! After all that excitement he moved to New Zealand where he decided to specialise in employment law. All that fighting over money helped Michael see the futility of it all, so he turned his attention to helping small to medium sized businesses avoid litigation. As a business owner himself (in fact he owns three) his aim is to make law and accessible and understandable to New Zealand small business. Here's what one client says about Michael:
"From the first conversation I had with you, I felt enormous relief as if you had just taken my awful problem from me. You handled the entire matter on my behalf, liaising with me all the way and negotiating the best possible outcome for me. I found you to be professional, efficient, and formidable in your approach to the problem. Engaging you was a real value, so I am pleased I did"
- Melanie Boulle, Auckland
The key to Michael's success is the way he presents otherwise dry boring legal topics in an interesting and entertaining way.
Photos of Michael
Right-click "Save as..." for high quality shots:| | |||
Media Appearances
Television: Michael has been interviewed on TV 1's Close Up @ 7 programme by Susan Wood. Click here to watch. Michael has also appeared on Sky TV Sport 365 programme in relation to sports law related issues and has been interviewed by TV1 News.Radio: Michael has appeared on numerous occasions as a guest on "The Panel" for National Radio's Afternoon Programme and has been interviewed by Noelle McCarthy about Employed But Not Engaged. Click here to listen to the interview about Employed But Not Engaged. He has also appeared on other radio stations including Newstalk ZB (Paul Holmes) and Radio Rheema.
Books: Michael contributed to "Keeping the Score: Essays in Sports Law" edited by Elizabeth Toomey and published by The University of Canterbury.
Magazines: Michael regularly writes the Fitness Counsel column for NZ Fitness Magazine about sports law related issues. He has also had articles published in New Zealand Business Magazine, Employment Today and The New Zealand Law Journal.
Book reviews for Employed But Not Engaged
Employed But Not Engaged has received favourable reviews in the following newspapers and publications.New Zealand Herald - click here to read
Christchurch Press - click here to read
New Zealand Business Magazine click here to read
Talk to Michael
Either1. Call Michael on 09 358 2725 or
2. Email him at michael@approachablelawyer.com or
3. Use the contact form on this website
"Dealing with a parting of the ways in both personal and business arenas can be very involved and legal help may be required at any stage. But, should this happen, the advice on how to proceed in "Employed but not Engaged" is there to ensure that correct procedures are followed to enable this to happen as smoothly as possible. The book is laid out in a novel way to track employment issues from advertising a position through to ending it, while protecting your reputation and pocket. It assists the reader in understanding or becoming familiar with the complex and changing aspects of employment law by linking these to life relationships - something we are all familiar with. In 10 chapters it lays out in detail what an employer can do in advance to reduce problems when the employment honeymoon is over and the relationship has to be ended. The explanations will certainly help with understanding the issues when talking with your lawyer."
Linda Donald, regular book reviewer NZBusiness magazine - NZBusiness Magazine
Linda Donald, regular book reviewer NZBusiness magazine - NZBusiness Magazine
