Paul Vane-Tempest

Paul Vane-Tempest

recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2008
Awarded Practice Areas
Bet-the-Company Litigation Government Practice Labour and Employment Law Litigation Occupational Health and Safety Law
Awarded Practice Areas
Bet-the-Company Litigation Government Practice Labour and Employment Law Litigation Occupational Health and Safety Law
Paul Vane-Tempest
Paul Vane-Tempest
Canberra, AU
Works at
Thomsons

116 Best Lawyers awards

Thomsons logo

Biography

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 APS Code of Conduct breaches, reviewable actions and probity. He represents clients in the Fair Work Commission and courts in employment disputes, appears in Royal Commissions and commissions of inquiry, and advises on complex contracting and procurement processes across government contexts.

Paul has played a central role in some of Australia’s most significant government and public sector matters. His work includes advising in relation to the Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion established following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission’s first investigations into alleged misconduct by parliamentarians. He also advises on complex governance issues affecting the Australian National University.

Paul brings over 25 years of government employment and WHS experience from Canberra, with a practice that is genuinely embedded in the Commonwealth environment.

Works at
Thomsons

116 Best Lawyers awards

Thomsons logo

Locations

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Labour and Employment Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Labour and Employment Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Labour and Employment Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Government Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Labour and Employment Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Government Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Labour and Employment Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014-15 - Labour and Employment Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Labour and Employment Law, Canberra, Australia (2026)
  • Litigation, Canberra, Australia (2025)
  • Labour and Employment Law, Canberra, Australia (2024)
  • Labour and Employment Law, Canberra, Australia (2022)
  • Government Practice, Canberra, Australia (2020)
  • Labour and Employment Law, Canberra, Australia (2019)
  • Government Practice, Canberra, Australia (2018)
  • Labour and Employment Law, Canberra, Australia (2017)
  • Labour and Employment Law, Canberra, Australia (2014-15)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Australia 2027 for work in:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Government Practice
  • Labour and Employment Law
  • Litigation
  • Occupational Health and Safety Law

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