Managing legal issues arising from employment relationships.
Our team advises on the challenges posed by a constantly changing regulatory environment, which can have major effects on your organisation’s performance and reputation. We're experts when it comes to managing significant legal issues arising from employment relationships.
We have a go-to employment practice for sensitive, high profile and/or complex claims and disputes, including defending significant claims brought by senior executives. We also have extensive experience advising on strategic industrial relations and workforce planning, and providing advice on all aspects of employment relationships from start to finish.
We regularly advise and represent multinationals and ASX listed corporations at a federal level, and across all states and territories. Our employment lawyers have extensive experience advising employers across a range of sectors on all aspects of:
We regularly act in proceedings involving post-employment restraints, industrial disputes, breaches of confidentiality obligations, and claims of adverse action, unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment and bullying. We also regularly appear before federal and state courts, tribunals and the Fair Work Commission.
Acted for and achieved a successful resolution of proceedings commenced in the Federal Court by AMP’s former General Counsel of Litigation, whose employment with AMP was terminated.
Acting in relation to class action proceedings commenced in the Federal Court regarding sham contracting and underpayment allegations.
Acting against a former employee and her new business which she set up in competition with the plaintiff during and after her employment with our client terminated.
Assisting with corporate restructuring including advising in respect of introduction of change and dispute processes in various enterprise agreements, managing union claims in respect of employee entitlements and advising in respect of transfer of business issues.
Advised and assisted on the industrial and employment impacts of Covid-19 related restrictions.
Acted in relation to their enterprise bargaining negotiations and industrial action relating to four collective agreements which were expired or due to expire and need to be replaced.
Acting in relation to class action proceedings commenced in the Federal Court relating to the alleged underpayments of approximately 10,000 employees over a six year period claiming $129 million.
Acted in the proceedings commenced by Michelle Guthrie in the Federal Court against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation regarding the termination of her employment and in relation to various parliamentary inquiries regarding the matter. The matter was successfully resolved.
Representing the Qantas Group in successful Full Court appeal proceedings and in other claims before the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Advising a major retailer on a payroll audit across its operations which included advising on award and enterprise agreement interpretation issues, internal and external communications plans and managing regulator enquiries.
Acted in a number of separate unfair dismissal applications brought by former employees whose employment had been made redundant as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acting for Swissport (formerly Aerocare) in extensive Fair Work Commission proceedings associated with the successful approval of its enterprise agreement.
Ranked as a leading law firm in labour and employment
"JWS came highly recommended and have proven to be the best company we could have been referred to."
Ranked for employment law
They are approachable, easy to work with and can condense the complex issues into easy-to-understand concepts
"They're knowledgeable on employment law, always prompt and they give us additional advice. It's more like a partnership than working with another organisation"
"Great business knowledge and a deep understanding of employment law"
"Johnson Winter & Slattery is an excellent law firm. The lawyers are always accessible and provide timely, strategic advice. In litigation matters, they have the right mix of lawyers to do different levels of work required"
"Excellent, efficient and good value for money"
"They have come to understand us as a company and understand our sector and business"
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