Bird & Bird LLP

Partner

I am a partner in our International HR Services Group in Sydney where I advise our clients on the full spectrum of employment and industrial law issues.

I lead the Sydney office's employment law team. I am part of the firm's International HR Services Group, which assists clients across the globe in achieving practical and sustainable results in relation to all areas of employment law.

I advise our clients on everything from business establishment in Australia, drafting of contracts and policies, managing poor performance and long term illness issues, dealing with employee/contractor distinctions and investigations by regulators, drafting short and long term employee incentive plans, conducting litigation including unfair dismissal, adverse action, breach of contract and restraint of trade; carrying out employer investigations and delivering training programmes. I also work closely with our Sydney M&A team, advising on due diligence and business integration, particularly where large organisations merge with a smaller, highly entrepreneurial business.

As a result of working for one of the world's leading technology law firms, a significant number of my clients operate in the technology space, which brings unique challenges in respect to employment law, particularly surrounding the gig economy and Australia's strict regulatory regime. I am in a unique position to assist our clients in navigating through this regime because of our significant experience gained through working for start-ups and new business entrants into the Australian marketplace.

In addition to my work for large organisations and start-ups, I get great enjoyment and fulfilment in working on a pro bono basis for a number of clients in the not-for-profit sector, working to make real change in our local community.

Admissions

Law Society of New South Wales, Australia in 2000

University of Technology, Sydney, LLB and Graduate Certificate of Legal Practice University of New South Wales, BA (Indonesian, Japanese and South East Asian history)