Ashurst garners praise for its 'real depth and a true full-service offering' in the employment law arena. Global practice head for employment Stephen Woodbury leads the labour and employment team, which is well versed in advising on workforce transition strategies and dismissals and allegations of misconduct at senior executive level. Ian Humphreys handles major bargaining disputes and class action proceedings before the Federal Court, and Jon Lovell is 'pragmatic, clear, commercial with expertise across all aspects of workplace relations and employment law'. Lea Constantine and Julia Sutherland are other key practitioners to note.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth's 'strong' employment team 'always provides a solid, responsive reliable employment service'. The group acts for a wide range of public and private sector clients across Australia, and has a solid track record in representing major international clients in class action proceedings. General protections claims and terminations of employment issues pertaining to allegations of serious misconduct are other key pillars of strength for the team. The department is led by a quartet of practitioners: Nick Le Mare, who specialises in acting for clients in the aviation, railway, and mining sectors; John Tuck, who handles workplace disputes and employment litigation; Stephen Price, who is sought after by major financial institutions; and Perth-based Anthony Longland. Graeme Watson brings extensive experience in advising on workplace and industrial relations. Jack de Flamingh is another key contact.

At Minter Ellison,the labour and employment team garners praise for its 'incredible depth of expertise and talent for dealing with complex or intractable industrial relations issues'. Led by Trent Forno, the group is particularly well known for advising major clients in the energy and resources sector on workplace harassment and discrimination and trade union bargaining proceedings. Forno is sought after for his expertise in handling unfair dismissal, discrimination and general protection claims. Dan Williams, Briony Pole and Leyla Dixon assist clients in the logistics sector with industrial relations issues and employee negotiations. Jim Fox is a key name for representing major sports entities, while Amanda Watt advises major government and public sector clients on employment-related regulatory matters.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP stands out as 'a premier specialist employment firm in Australia'. The team regularly acts for a client roster which includes major domestic and international banking and financial services companies and wealth management firms. Managing partner and practice head Darren Perry is sought after for his expertise in advising on collective bargaining strategies, and Chris Gardner has established strength in handling class action proceedings. Employment litigation forms a key pillar of Henry Skene's practice, while Justine Giuliani and Erin Hawthorne are sought after by retail sector clients. Ben Dudley's workload includes post-employment restraint issues, and Philippa Noakes handles unfair dismissal and discrimination claims.

Led by Dan Trindade, the team at Clayton Utz is well known for representing a diverse range of public and private clients across Australia in a wide spectrum of employment and industrial relations matters. The group has particular expertise in advising clients in the higher education sector on issues pertaining to industrial action, as well as acting for public sector entities in arbitration proceedings before the Fair Work Commission. Christy Miller is well versed in handling employment-related audits. Allison Shannon, Amanda Lyras, and Perth-based Anna Casellas are other practitioners to note. Cilla Robinson departed for King & Wood Mallesons in August 2024.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a strong track record in handling complex cases of enterprise bargaining and class actions, as well as advising on employment-related regulatory proceedings. Managing partner of the global employment team Steve Bell jointly heads the practice with Brisbane-based Aaron Anderson, who advises major clients in the mining industry; Nicholas Ogilvie, who brings extensive experience in assisting high-profile clients in the aviation industry; Nerida Jessup, who handles psychological safety risk management investigations; and Anna Creegan, who has a solid track record in advising on risk management issues.

King & Wood Mallesons' labour and employment practice boasts 'outstanding quality of work' across the full range of employment matters.  Murray Kellock is a key contact for workplace relations issues; he co-heads the team with Andrew Gray, who acts for clients in high-profile employment disputes before the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Courts. Ruth Rosedale and Annamarie Rooding are key names to note. In August 2024 Cilla Robinson joined the group.

Kingston Reid fields a broad national offering in the labour and employment law space. The team is often instructed by healthcare providers, private sector employers and businesses from a range of industries across Australia in high-profile disputes, enterprise bargaining and national workplace restructurings. The practice is led by the quartet of firm managing partner Alice Deboos, Duncan Fletcher, Steven Amendola and Shelley Williams; the practitioners are highly regarded for their collective expertise in handling sexual harassment investigations and matters heard before the Fair Work Commission, to name a couple of areas of strength.

The labour and employment team at Allens garners praise for its 'excellent depth and breadth of knowledge across all areas of workplace relations'. The group has particular strength in advising logistics and agricultural clients on industrial relations issues and contentious employment matters, as well as handling executive employment arrangements. Practice head Simon Dewberry is very experience in handling bargaining negotiations, and Sarah Lunny is a key point of contact for regulatory work.

The team at Baker McKenzie continues to handle a high volume of cases involving allegations of workplace bullying and harassment and post-employment restrictions. Michael Michalandos heads up the practice, and is well equipped to advise on industrial relations issues; he fields expertise in handling class action proceedings for major international companies. Ben Burke's workload includes workplace health and safety and terminations of employment matters. Paul Brown, Lucienne Gleeson and Carmel Foley are key practitioners.

A trusted advisor to international corporations and financial services companies, DLA Piper's employment team is adept at handling a broad range of litigation and compliance matters. Employment law specialist Nicholas Turner heads up the practice, and Mitch Robertson advises on restrictive covenants and bargaining processes. Clancy King acts for international corporations across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, while Elizabeth Cole assists with regulatory issues.

At Johnson Winter Slattery, the labour and employment team provides a full-service offering to a client roster of federal government entities, major corporates, multinational companies and clients in the sport, financial services, and hospitality sectors. The group is well known for its solid track record in advising on discrimination and sexual harassment cases, unfair dismissals, and underpayment claims. The practice is jointly led by the triumvirate of Jan Dransfield, Ruveni Kelleher, and Lucienne Mummé, and Joseph El Hagg is sought after for his experience in handling whistleblowing issues.

The team at K&L Gates ‘provides tailored, timely, actionable and strategic employment advice’. The group is well versed in advising government entities on unfair dismissals, discrimination cases, workplace health and safety issues and industrial relations disputes. Practice head Michaela Moloney is ‘a strategic operator in the employment space‘, and special counsel John Monroe is regularly instructed by government entities in misconduct investigations. Health and safety work forms the backbone of Stephen Hardy‘s practice, while Leila Moddel handles whistleblowing cases.

KHQ Lawyers garners praise for its 'in-depth knowledge' of labour and employment law. The team is regularly instructed by clients in the construction and engineering sectors in a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters, and is equally strong in assisting major international corporations. Under the leadership of Chris Gianatti, the group handles executive employment arrangements, restructurings and industrial relations issues, to name a few areas of expertise. Other key names to note include Claire Brown and Michael Cochrane, who is well versed in advising on wage theft claims.

The labour and employment team at Maddocks is noted for its 'good depth of knowledge in the government sector'. The group regularly acts for a solid roster of local and national government clients, and is also adept at assisting companies in the financial services arena. Lindy Richardson, Michael Nicolazzo and Bruce Heddle share leadership of the practice; Ross Jackson is sought after for his expertise in handling restructuring mandates, and Grace Turner-Mobbs assists with unfair dismissal and general protections claims.

Mills Oakley's labour and employment team leverages its national strength to assist clients in the insurance, hospitality, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining and public sectors. The practice co-heads include Melbourne-based Ross Levin; Laura Sowden, who is based in Sydney; and the 'exceptional operator' Daniel White in the firm's Perth office. Jamie Wells' workload includes advising on industrial relations disputes, and regularly defends mining sector entities before the Federal Court. Kathryn Hunter is well versed in handling enterprise bargaining matters.

Piper Alderman is home to 'a strong team with a breadth of expertise', and the group fields extensive experience in advising on the full range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, often for clients in the mining, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Sydney-based Tim Capelin heads up the practice, and Melbourne-based Tim Lange brings expertise in advising on contentious bargaining proceedings. Leading on employment class actions, Erin McCarthy is also adept at handling cases involving allegations of sexual discrimination cases and related defamation proceedings. Ben Motro assists with general protection claims, victimisation and harassment cases, and unfair dismissal claims before the Fair Work Commission. Emily Haar is 'responsive, calm, considered, professional and just excellent to work with'.

The labour and employment team at Gadens Lawyers regularly acts for local government entities and clients in the public sector. Erin Lynch jointly heads the practice with Siobhan Mulcahy, who has expertise in advising on contentious restructuring issues and complex discrimination claims. Workplace investigations are another core area of focus for the group. Other key members include Deivina Peethamparam, George Haros, and Sarah Saliba, who are noted for assisting with enterprise bargaining, post-employment restrictions and corporate restructurings respectively.

Under the leadership of Dianne Banks, the team at Gilbert + Tobin is sought after for its track record in advising on a broad range of contentious employment matters, restructurings and transactional work. The group is equally strong in handling workplace investigations and whistleblowing cases. Tom Brett brings expertise in handling general protections claims before the Fair Work Commission. Special counsel Kaushalya Mataraaratchi is another name to note.

Hall & Wilcox's labour and employment team provides a full-service offering to a broad client roster, including financial services, technology, and public sector entities. Practice head Aaron Dearden 'delivers practical advice in an ever-changing landscape', and is well versed in advising on underpayment and general protection claims and cases involving breaches of contract issues. Other key areas of instruction include whistleblowing cases and contested employment terminations. Alison Baker has extensive experience in handling prominent underpayment cases.

Under the leadership of Mark Sant and Simon Billing, the labour and employment group at HFW advises a solid roster of media, hospitality, and logistics sector clients on the full range of employment law matters. Key areas of instruction include general protections claims and contentious matters heard before the Fair Work Commission. Stephanie Nicol takes the lead on sexual harassment cases and due diligence matters.

At Jones Day, Adam Salter heads up the labour and employment team, which fields extensive experience in assisting international financial services clients with employment due diligence matters, industrial relations issues and transactional work. Employee transfer issues and termination disputes are other key areas of instruction for the group. Tristan Seymour brings expertise in advising on workplace discrimination claims.

McCullough Robertson advises public sector clients and local government entities on employment due diligence, workplace health and safety matters and restructurings. Amber Sharp practices from Sydney, and is sought after for her expertise in handling a broad range of contentious matters, including terminations and compensation matters; she co-heads the team with Brisbane-based Tim Longwill. Nicola McMahon is another key practitioner to note.

Nick Duggal heads up the labour and employment practice at Moray & Agnew, which has a solid track record in advising public sector companies, local government entities, and major financial institutions on contractual matters, unfair dismissal cases and data issues. Special counsel Sheridan Landwehr regularly advises on management matters and disputes pertaining to employment contracts.

The 'very skilled and highly knowledgeable' team at Norton Rose Fulbright handles the full range of labour and employment matters. Practice head Jason Noakes is well versed in assisting insurers, local government entities, and education sector clients with general protection claims and workplace misconduct cases. Alexandra Shields and Martin Osborne are other key names to note.

Squire Patton Boggs handles the gamut of contentious and non-contentious labour and employment matters. Enterprise agreements, cross-border whistleblowing investigations and workplace misconduct matters are key areas of strength for the team, which is co-led by Nicola Martin, who is based in Sydney, and Kim Hodge in the Perth office. Another name to note is director Erin Kidd, who practices from the Sydney office.

At Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors, the labour and employment team garners praise for its 'unrivalled experience and knowledge' in the industrial relations arena. The group is equally adept at advising on a broad range of contentious matters, including employment terminations. Nigel Ward is 'a senior statesman in industrial relations'; he co-heads the department with Newcastle-based Kyle Scott and Luis Izzo, 'a true expert in employment law' who has established strength in handling major disputes in the transport sector.

The labour and employment team at Bird & Bird is well known for its expertise in advising on unfair dismissal claims and harassment matters, to name a couple of areas of strength. Practice head Kristy Peacock-Smith's workload includes handling cross-border restructurings and terminations, while Thomas Du assists with general protection applications.

Colin Biggers & Paisley‘s labour and employment team regularly handles a broad range of contentious and non-contentious work, including employment agreements and post-employment restraints issues. Megan Kavanagh heads up the practice, and Cathryn Prowse's workload includes advising on cases involving allegations of sexual harassment. Amaya Hettige is a key contact for general protections claims.

The team at Citation Group is well versed in advising on a wide spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters. The practice is co-led by firm managing partner Campbell Fisher and industrial relations specialist Bianca Seeto. Other names to note include Benjamin Gee, who has experience in advising on compliance issues and general protections claims, and Brittany Byrne, who is sought after for her expertise in handling discrimination matters.

The labour and employment team at boutique firm Harmers Workplace Lawyers stands out for its 'excellent knowledge of HR law'. Under the leadership of Michael Harmer and Amy Zhang, the group has a solid track record in advising on high-profile discrimination cases and serious workplace health and safety matters, and is a key point of contact for clients in the construction, life sciences and sports sectors. Jenny Inness is sought after for her experience in assisting with compliance matters.

Holding Redlich's labour and employment practice maintains a robust presence in the employment law arena, with established strength in handling industrial relations matters. Charles Power leads the team, and brings expertise in advising on enterprise bargaining in the agricultural sector. Michael Selinger is sought after for handling cases involving allegations of workplace misconduct and sexual harassment. The group is also noted for its strength in assisting with general protection claims and post-employment restraints matters.

The labour and employment team at Pinsent Masons LLP is very experienced in advising clients in the entertainment, construction, and health sectors on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Aaron Goonrey heads up the practice and brings expertise in advising on terminations of employment and psychosocial risk management. Neil Napper is sought after for his experience in advising on executive contracts. Emma Lutwyche, Ben McKinley, and Luke Scandrett handle complex bullying and harassment claims.