Jan Dransfield Partner

Jan is a leading employment lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in all aspects of employment and workplace relations law as well as discrimination law, remuneration and benefits, and superannuation.

She advises clients across a broad range of industries, including transport, information technology, education, media, financial services, pharmaceuticals, and retail.

Leading corporates and multinationals go to Jan for advice on their most sensitive or complex matters, including major corporate reorganisations and restructures, senior executive appointments and separations, complex workplace investigations, and workforce transformation projects.

Jan has experience handling complex employment claims and disputes, including representing clients in significant litigation before courts, the Fair Work Commission and anti-discrimination tribunals. Jan has niche expertise in workplace training, including delivering presentations at board and senior management level.

Clients praise Jan for being a "very thorough and responsive lawyer, who gives concise briefings and appropriate advice", Chambers Asia-Pacific 2014.

Experience

General

Qantas Airways

Advising on employment aspects of organisational restructures, drafting template employment documents, defending claims brought before the Fair Work Commission, and proceedings before the Federal Court of Australia and State Supreme Courts.

Unilever and T2

Assisting Unilever on employment aspects of its successful acquisition of T2, a premium Australian tea business, including transfer of employees.

Global investment bank

Advising on corporate reorganisations and structures, representation in relation to claims and legal proceedings brought by former employees.

Confidential health services client

Conducting an investigation into allegations of bullying and advising on related disciplinary aspects and successfully resolving all claims.

Investigating allegations of bullying and advising on related disciplinary aspects

Advising on enforcement of post-employment restraints and non-solicitation obligations, acting in relation to injunction proceedings and successfully negotiating undertakings.

Recognition

Career & qualifications

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts (Industrial Relations), University of New South Wales
  • Bachelor of Laws, University of New South Wales 

Memberships

  • New South Wales Equal Employment Opportunities Practitioners Association 
  • Australian Labour Lawyers Association
  • Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales

Insights Read more insight

Closing Loopholes No 2 Bill – new laws regarding casuals, contractors and the right to disconnect

The second round of the Federal Government’s “Closing Loopholes” amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) were passed by Parliament on 12 February 2024 and received Royal Assent on 26...

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Closing Loopholes Bill: partitioned and passed

Following a deal with crossbench Senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock, the Senate split the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 (Bill). As a consequence, the first...

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Getting ready for the new positive duty on employers to eliminate sexual harassment

In the lead up to 12 December 2023, employers should ensure they have robust systems in place to comply with their new positive duty obligations.

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