Best Lawyers in Australia for Labour and Employment Law

Lauren acts for employers across a wide range of industries. Her clients include Federal, State and Local Government agencies, major private sector organisations (including those in health and aged care, biotechnology, engineering, manufacturing and retail), and not-for-profit organisations. Based in Melbourne, she advises clients nationally and internationally. Lauren advises on the full spectrum of employment and industrial relations matters, including contracts for employees, executives an...

Mark Curran is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits Law, Labour and Employment Law and Occupational Health and Safety Law. Mark, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

I have been a lawyer since 2001, having worked for five years for a small firm and then for just under ten years at a medium-size firm. I have acted in litigation in most jurisdictions, including trials/hearings in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal Court, Federal Circuit Court, District Court, Magistrates Court, State Administrative Tribunal, Fair Work Commission, the Coroners Court and the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission. My aim is to assist clients to understand...

Paul acts for Commonwealth Government agencies, statutory authorities and private sector employers. Paul joined Thomsons in July 2025, bringing with him deep Commonwealth client relationships built over an extensive career. Paul’s practice spans all aspects of employment and industrial relations, WHS governance, administrative law and government procurement. He advises on enterprise bargaining, individual and collective workplace agreements, discrimination complaints, investigations of ...

Cassie Burfoot is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law and Occupational Health and Safety Law. Cassie, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cassie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Evan is an Accredited Specialist in Workplace Relations. With extensive experience in employment and industrial relations law, Evan advises and represents a broad range of clients with a particular emphasis on assisting executive employees and registered organisations. Evan works closely with his clients to identify their goals and uses his experience to find the most efficient path to achieve those goals. Evan’s areas of expertise include: drafting, advising on and enforcing employment...

Luis Izzo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law. Luis, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Luis is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rachel acts for major employers in infrastructure, government, hospitality, franchising and resources sectors. Her clients include ASX-listed entities, state asset operators and major infrastructure project participants. She is based in Brisbane. Rachel advises on workplace relations litigation, WHS prosecutions, industrial disputes, regulatory compliance, enterprise agreement strategy, and immigration. She manages multi-jurisdictional industrial relations programs for major projects, advises...

Karl acts for major employers including energy, oil and gas, mining, defence, construction, manufacturing, health, technology, disability and aged care organisations. Karl’s practice spans both contentious and advisory employment and WHS work, acting for boards, executives, general counsel and HR across private and government clients. He is the author of the Thomson Reuters National Work Health and Safety Practice subscription service. Karl advises on all aspects of employment law and W...

Philip Duffy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law. Philip, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom Brennan SC specialises in conducting major disputes. Recent disputes conducted by him include: concerning claims to foreign state immunity in civil aviation regulatory, commercial, insurance and leasing disputes; disputes with Australian federal government regulatory agencies including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine...

Alicia Mataere is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law. Alicia, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alicia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah Wood is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Labour and Employment Law. Sarah, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Belinda Winter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law. Belinda, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Belinda is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aaron has extensive employment and industrial relations law experience working with clients across a range of industries. Specifically, Aaron specialises in enterprise bargaining, industrial strategies and disputes, disciplinary and performance matters, independent contractor claims, corporate restructuring and outsourcing, managing ill and injured workers, breach of contract claims, and enforcement of restraints of trade. Aaron acts for prominent Australian and international companies. His e...

Elissa acts for Commonwealth government agencies and entities, universities and private sector organisations on employment, workplace relations and safety matters. Her focus is public sector employment and workplace relations. Elissa advises on enterprise bargaining (including drafting, strategy, industrial action and approval challenges), employment litigation (general protections, unfair dismissal, discrimination and bullying), workforce planning and reform, misconduct and underperformance ...