Senior Associate - Labour, Employment & Workplace Safety
Our Labour, Employment & Workplace Safety group provides advice and representation to employers on all aspects of the employment relationship. The team is recognised as a leader in employment, industrial relations and workplace safety law. We have a team of over 25 lawyers in three Australian offices (Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane). The Melbourne team includes 3 partners and 11 lawyers, with a focus on health, sport, construction, banking and education sectors, as well as significant government and public sector work. We pride ourselves on being skilled lawyers who look after our clients and work with colleagues as a cohesive and collaborative team. Partners work closely with the lawyers and are recognised as mentors who promote development at each level.
About the role
You will be working on advice, transactional and litigation matters across the scope of employment, industrial and safety matters. The work is complex and often requires rapid turnaround, but you will be well supported and have opportunities to grow and develop your skills. You will have opportunities to work in a team as well as the freedom to work on matters autonomously. No two days will be the same – you could be advising on employment issues arising from a complex corporate transaction and, the next day, on a client site assisting with a workplace health and safety investigation.
What does the role involve?
Representing employers in employment-related disputes such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, and general protections claims;
Advising and representing employers in substantial work health and safety investigations and prosecutions;
Responding to regulator investigations (e.g. Fair Work Ombudsman) and prosecutions;
Advising on novel and complex employment queries;
Advising on and conducting workplace investigations on issues such as bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment;
Negotiating, drafting and providing advice on employment-related documents including contracts of employment, executive employment arrangements, service agreements and workplace policies;
Advising on discipline and termination of employment;
Litigating matters in the State and Federal Courts, Tribunals and Commissions and utilising complaint handling and alternative dispute resolution techniques, such as mediation and conciliation;
Advising on strategic compliance to achieve desired client outcomes;
Providing employment law support on an array of commercial and transactional issues including mergers and acquisitions, share sale arrangements, corporate restructures, transfer of business and transfer of employment situations, post-employment restraints as well as non-compliance with legal and regulatory matters;
Developing and delivering internal and external training programs on a range of employment and work health and safety matters.
About You
We value our culture at K&L; Gates and seek a likeminded individual who, in addition to technical excellence, can work collaboratively in a team to get things done. As the successful candidate, you will have:
Demonstrated experience in a broad range of employment, industrial and safety-related matters from both front-end and litigious perspectives;
A practical and proactive approach to managing workload;
Solid problem-solving skills;
Excellent organisation, written and presentation skills;
Strong drafting and advisory skills;
Ability to deliver to tight deadlines and work under pressure;
Excellent analytical and research skills;
A team focus – enjoy working as part of a committed team;
Energy and enthusiasm; and
Ability to network and build and nurture client relationships and proactively undertake business development.
Ideally you will have 5+ years PAE experience within a commercial law firm. Public sector experience would also be looked upon favourably.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Law Practice and Legal Services
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📌 Senior Associate - Labour, Employment & Workplace Safety
🏢 K&L Gates
📍 Melbourne