Best Lawyers in Australia for Labour and Employment Law

Jacquie has practised employment law, discrimination law and education law since 1990. Her sports law practice has grown naturally from these other areas since 2006. She has guided clients through four major reforms to the federal industrial relations system. An experienced litigator in employment and industrial relations, Jacquie has specialist expertise in discrimination, unfair dismissal, breach of contract claims, industrial disputes, and prosecutions for breach of awards, industrial laws...

Belinda Winter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law and Occupational Health and Safety 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.

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.

Andrew is a Partner and the head of HopgoodGanim Lawyers’ Workplace and Employment practice. Andrew advises clients on all aspects of workplace law, equal opportunity and discrimination law, safety and privacy. From front-end bargaining and agreement composition to dispute management, Andrew has extensive experience advising across a broad range of sectors including resources and energy, manufacturing, health and hospitality. He is particularly skilled in providing strategic employment ...

Elissa Speight is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Practice and Labour and Employment Law. Elissa, who practices law in Canberra, Australia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elissa 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...

Annie Smeaton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law. Annie, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Annie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Drawing on more than 20 years’ specialist experience, Andrew helps leading employers manage all aspects of their workforce through strategic advice, training and litigation services, to help meet their corporate goals. An engaging educator, he presents across the country on practical steps to manage occupational / work health and safety (WHS) obligations and on employment, industrial relations, bullying and harassment and discrimination issues and legislative updates. With a wealth of e...

John Blackburn SC is a leading workplace relations barrister. John practises almost exclusively in industrial and employment matters. He regularly advises and appears in Federal and State courts and tribunals on matters ranging from large scale industrial disputes to executive employment litigation, adverse action and discrimination claims by individuals. He has appeared in many notable cases, both at first instance and appellate level, including in 2021 in the High Court's landmark CFMMEU v ...

Paul Vane-Tempest is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Government Practice, Labour and Employment Law, Litigation and Occupational Health and Safety Law. Paul, who practices law in Canberra, Australia, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Charles draws on over 25 years of skills, expertise and experience in workplace relations and safety law. In addition to legal practice, Charles has served as an associate to a senior deputy president of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. In 1995 and 1996 Charles served as a Canberra-based adviser to a federal government minister. Charles gives legal advice and representation to organisations and individuals in all areas of the discipline, including: minimising legal risks associ...