Sam Jackson

Sam partners with the firm’s clients to help them better manage their workplace risks; including employment & IR disputes, critical incidents, regulatory investigations and prosecutions.

Sam's industry leading expertise is recognised by the Australian Financial Review's “Best Lawyers” guide awarding him the Best Lawyer Of The Year Award for Occupational Health & Safety Law in Melbourne for 2021. He is also listed as a Leading WHS Lawyer by Doyles Guide (2019, 2020) and included on the Australian Financial Review's “Best Lawyers” guide for both Labour and Employment Law (2021) and Occupational Health & Safety Law (2020, 2021).Sam is regularly asked to comment in industry publications and the media about WHS and employment developments, and is a frequent presenter at industry seminars and conferences.

What he does

Sam acts for clients in complex workplace litigation, including defending criminal WHS prosecutions and acting for employers in proceedings under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Sam has worked on matters across many jurisdictions and has recently been involved in the successful defence of a number of WHS prosecutions through withdrawals, acquittals and successful appeals.

His experience includes advising on complex evidentiary matters arising under the common law, and state and Federal evidence legislation, as well as procedural matters.

In addition to his litigation practice, Sam is regularly engaged to provide practical, commercial and proactive advice on employment and WHS. Expertise across both employment and WHS means his clients benefit from advice that recognises the close relationship between these areas, enabling proactive identification and resolution of issues.Sam is regularly called upon to deliver training, including the delivery of interactive sessions and moot-court simulations from the boardroom to the shopfloor.

Who he works with

Sam works with in-house legal counsel, safety managers, HR managers and C-suite executives across a range of industries, including construction, mining, stevedoring, manufacturing, education, electricity, defence, insurance, sport and transport/logistics.