Requests
0
Keep in touch with meI'm using Intch to connect with new people. Use this link to open chat with me via Intch app
Work Background
Sound CounselPrincipal Lawyer & HR Consultant
Feb. 2024I support small-to-medium sized businesses (SMEs) to achieve compliance with Australian employment laws and provide counsel in navigating difficult employee relations issues. I have a particular focus on supporting businesses with their documentation, including employment contracts, employee handbook, policy and procedure drafting, drafting letters to document investigative or disciplinary processes, and providing documents to corporate migration sponsors to satisfy Department of Home Affairs requirements. I also provide advice regarding general commercial law documents, including terms of trade, master service agreements (MSAs), contracts and commercial agreements, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and cease and desist letters where required.
NSW HealthSenior Industrial Relations & Legal Officer
Nov. 2021I am a senior advisor and escalation point for strategic and pragmatic legal advice and consultation on highly contentious, politically sensitive and complex industrial and workplace relations matters. Selected key achievements: *Acted as part of a team for the Health Secretary in contentious litigated matters before relevant Courts and Tribunals such as the Industrial Relations Commission, Committee of Review, NCAT and AHRC. *Provided strategic advice on change management projects such as the implementation of new technology (e.g. new digital time recording system), and the modernisation of position descriptions and industrial instruments in a highly unionised environment. *Created and implemented transformational cultural change projects targeting issues such as systemic racism, bullying, sexual harassment, and strengthening the clinical governance of Schedule 8 drugs of addiction. *Assessed and negotiated solutions to industrial disputes such as alleged underpayment claims, assessments of ineligibility for workplace entitlements, and recruitment and selection criteria. *Lead and managed complex and sensitive workplace investigations into concerns about doctors, nurses and other staff members into allegations of misconduct. Engaged with industrial and/or legal representatives, and liaised with bodies such as the Medical Council of NSW or Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW and HCCC where necessary.
Mission AustraliaIndustrial Relations Business Partner
May. 2020 - May. 2021Mission Australia is a historic and established national charity that stands together with Australians in need until they can stand for themselves. Key achievements: *Drafted the industrial relations strategy for the organisation which was endorsed by the Executive. *Advised on industrial implications arising from the implementation of software such as Kronos and Workday. *Conducted workplace investigations in accordance with organisational policies and procedures, and delivered reports to Executives and senior management in a timely manner containing independent findings made with integrity, and practical and actionable recommendations. *Provided advice and counsel for key internal stakeholders on compliance with relevant employment laws, health and safety regulations, and superannuation.
*Reviewed and drafted employment contracts and letters. *Provided high quality advice, representation and advocacy in Fair Work Commission matters on behalf of the organisation. *Completed review of organisational policies for compliance, currency and best practice.
*Delivered training to senior managers on industrial relations matters. *Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan Champion
New York Legal Assistance GroupPro Bono Lawyer
Aug. 2019 - Sep. 2019NYLAG provides free civil legal services to New Yorkers who cannot afford a private attorney. I provided limited scope assistance to pro se litigants bringing Federal claims in the Southern District of New York. I advised immigrants, seniors, persons facing eviction, low-income consumers, those in need of government assistance, persons with disabilities, patients with chronic illness or disease, low-wage workers, and others in need, on the merits and procedural elements of their claim, and have also assisted pro se litigants with drafting their claims on the forms relevant to their case.
Watson MangioniLawyer
Feb. 2019 - Apr. 2019Watson Mangioni is a high end boutique law firm in Sydney, Australia. I worked on complex litigious
matters, including many with a cross-border/international element. Key Achievements: • Acted for a multinational corporation, in a breach of contract dispute, in which I dealt with in-house counsel from the United Arab Emirates and the United States. a review of organisational policies for compliance, currency and best practice.
• Conducted diligent and rigorous research in a matter in which the firm acted for an ASX100 company which was being sued in a multi-million dollar class action.
• Acted with a team of lawyers for a NSW State Government department on contentious disputes with whole-of-government consequences.
• Prepared a presentation for a renowned global aviation company on obligations with respect to governance, as well as work health and safety.
IgniteLegal Counsel
Jul. 2018 - Jan. 2019Ignite is an ASX listed talent services company, providing specialist recruitment, on-demand talent and outsourced people services to a range of clients, from blue chip and boutique. Ignite operated in eight offices across Australia, as well as in China under the Lloyd Morgan Executive brand. Key achievements: • Head of the Legal Department, with management responsibility, including training staff.
• Resolved contentious disputes in a pragmatic, cost-effective, efficient and compliant manner.
• Delivered legal advice to the Board, executive and senior leadership on a broad range of matters including corporate governance, risk and compliance, contract and employment.
BetterHR | Workforce GuardianSenior Workplace Relations Advisor
Oct. 2016 - Jul. 2018Workforce Guardian provides a holistic cloud-based HR compliance system for small and medium businesses, as well as HR Consulting services and representation at the Fair Work Commission where required.
Key achievements:
• Managed and trained more junior advisors on both technical matters and soft skills. Resolved contentious disputes in a pragmatic, cost-effective, efficient and compliant manner.
• Provided practical and succinct advice in plain-English on all aspects of workplace relations law, from hiring, to managing, conducting workplace investigations, termination of employment, and workplace health and safety.
• Assisted employers in navigating complex interpersonal grievances and disputes involving issues such as disciplinary matters, bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination.
• Drafted numerous published articles and delivered presentations for the purposes of business development.
Printing Industries Association of AustraliaSolicitor
Jul. 2016 - Oct. 2016I returned to my former employer Printing Industries Association of Australia to work on the unfair dismissal matter Guillermo Diaz v Anzpac Services Pty Ltd [2016] FWC 5305.
Key achievement: Decision in favour of the employer, and subsequent application for appeal to the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission by the AMWU dismissed.
AllensLawyer (ALT Document Reviewer)
Apr. 2016 - Jul. 2016I was part of a team of document reviewers that worked on the document review stage of a high profile class action against a major international insurer. I identified critically important documents for evidentiary purposes, legal issues in the documents, determined whether they were subject to legal professional privilege, and whether they were relevant to the case. I liaised with instructing solicitors on the matter, and communicated those instructions to the broader team. I utilised Ringtail to extract key insights from the data for the legal team.
K&L GatesLawyer
Nov. 2015 - Feb. 2016As a member of the Labour, Employment and Workplace Safety team, I provided advice for clients that
demonstrated both technical proficiency and commercial acumen.
Key Achievements:
• Advised a large organisation in the power industry with legal compliance/risk management in relation to their business transformation and restructure projects.
• Drafted written submissions and correspondence pertaining to litigious Federal Court matters. • Prepared briefs and instructions for Counsel.
Printing Industries Association of AustraliaSolicitor
Oct. 2013 - Jul. 2015I advised on employment law, workplace health and safety, workers’ compensation, intellectual property,
privacy, sustainability, and any other legal issue at the member's request. Key achievements:
• Successfully defended the application of the AMWU to vary the Time off in Lieu clause in various Modern Awards, ensuring Award Flexibility to the benefit of both employees and employers. Citation: AM2014/300 4 yearly review of modern awards - Common issue - Award Flexibility [2015] FWCFB 4466. My cross-examination is quoted at [151] as persuasive in illuminating inconsistencies in the AMWU's evidence.
• Contributed to the combined win on the part of employer groups to resist the insertion of a clause in Modern Awards that would nationalise accident make-up pay. Citation: AM2014/190 4 yearly review of modern awards - transitional provisions [2015] FWCFB 3523.
• Acted for members in unfair dismissal, adverse action and discrimination matters, with personal carriage of the matters.
• Drafted PIAA submission to the Productivity Commission review of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the Harper Review on Competition Law.
• Drafted and implemented workplace policies for a raft of businesses
• Advised members on negotiating Enterprise Agreements with relevant Unions and advocated for
members in Enterprise Agreement disputes.
• Advised numerous companies on efficient restructuring and redundancy procedures.
• Drafted and reviewed employment contracts for numerous companies.
• Delivered presentations on Australian Consumer Law essentials.
Intch is a Professional Networking App for the Future of WorkSee more people like Michelle on Intch
300k+ people
130+ countries
AI matching
Get Intch if you'd like to
280571 people
16
People & Culture/ Brand & Storytelling @ Kendra Parker Media & Advisory
17
Prifesssuonal problem solver @ Self employed / Contractor
20
Executive Coach @ Elevate Local
47321 people
16
People & Culture/ Brand & Storytelling @ Kendra Parker Media & Advisory
29
Founder, Coach & Mentor @ Ignite Your Success
20
People, Culture & Inclusion Leader @ Simply DEI Consulting