Advice, drafting, representation (including appearance and advocacy), litigation and training in all areas of HR and workplace law, including:

• Employment contracts / letters of offer / independent contractor arrangements
• HR policies & procedures
• Award obligations, interpretation and coverage
• Enterprise bargaining and enterprise agreements
• Performance management
• Terminations, including unfair dismissals and general protections cases
• Restructures / redundancies / change management / sales & acquisitions of businesses
• Independent workplace investigations
• Equal opportunity / discrimination / injured workers
• Occupational health & safety, including bullying and prosecutions
• Workplace surveillance / privacy
• Legal compliance / regulatory issues / audit and risk management

Denis, Managing Director:

Michael is the most professional and client focused service provider that I have worked with. He is an expert technician, and he brings that to bear in a very focused manner, but he also clearly understands that people are involved in the process. I can’t recommend Michael highly enough.

Rob, HR Manager:

For nearly a quarter of a century Michael has been a very trusted advisor consulting to myself and other senior managers working across a number of ASX 200 and medium sized companies during my career. HR+WorkLaw has truly partnered and collaborated on significant projects both domestic and international, like mergers and acquisitions, provided technical support, active management and representation on cases in a number of jurisdictions on behalf of the companies. In addition, the breadth and depth of his experience across employment law and employee relations, enabled him to become our subject matter expert providing invaluable support to our HR Team and business units. I especially value Michael’s sound advice, commitment, commercial orientation and willingness to get involved, own the issues and be part of the business.

Phil, CEO

Michael has provided employment law and general change management advice to our not for profit charity for several years and I can’t say enough how thoughtful and helpful this has been. From my time working with Michael at Freehills many years I ago I know how hard and smart he works and so his success is no surprise. He provides big law firm expertise from his own personal practice which is the best of both worlds.

Lorraine, CEO

Whenever I am in need of advice on HR related matters, my go-to person is Michael.
He has provided me with practical, prompt and sensible advice on a number of occasions and, with his opinion on board, I feel comfortable with the decisions taken.
Michael’s a real problem-solver, who knows his stuff!

• Deputy Chair, Workplace Relations Executive Committee, Law Institute of Victoria
• Past Chair and current Member, Employment & Industrial Relations Law Committee, Law Institute of Victoria
• Life Member, Past President (2004 – Centenary year), Vice-President, Treasurer and Executive Committee Member, Industrial Relations Society of Victoria
• Member, Australasian Association of Workplace Investigators (AAWI)
• Member, Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI)
• Member, Australian Labour Law Association (ALLA)
• Government appointment to Victorian State Training Board, 1997-2000

Michael provides pro-bono support and advice to Wallara, an innovative sector-leading support service for adults with a disability. He serves as a Director and Chairs Wallara’s Operational Risk Management Committee.