Ashurst’s labour and employment team demonstrates 'exceptional capability and delivery', and is widely recognised for its expertise in executive management, workforce restructuring, and contentious employment matters. The practice spans the energy, mining, food, retail, and digital and telecommunications industries. Global head Stephen Woodbury regularly advises on organisational restructurings and executive-level issues, while Julia Sutherland is recommended for her handling of employment disputes, including unfair dismissal, adverse action. and discrimination claims. Jon Lovell is another key name in the department, with a focus on workplace relations and executive remuneration and benefits. Ian Humphreys retired in April 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘I have worked with Stephen Woodbury for many years and, in my opinion, his knowledge and experience in the field of employment law, and his ability to offer practical advice on how best to deal with difficult and complex matters has been invaluable in achieving successful outcomes in a number of situations our business has encountered in recent times.’
- ‘The team is committed to excellence in their client engagement, service and expertise. For complex and large litigation, the Ashurst team draws on the depth of expertise and experience across the firm.’
- ‘Attention to detail and genuinely listening to the clients' needs and wishes.’
- ‘Jon Lovell and his team are experts in the field - with exceptional capability and delivery. I am always impressed with the end product delivered, whether it is a complex piece of advice broken down for wide audiences or solutions to difficult issues.’
- ‘Jon Lovell's practical, commercial and balanced approach makes him stand out. Able to adapt delivery to different audiences, with unique experience to be able to give clear advice on risk.'
- 'We rely on Jon Lovell and his expertise. His efforts to understand and know our business, the opportunities and risks, and being able to forecast solutions, is exceptional.’
Key clients
- Woolworths Group Limited Uber Qantas University of Melbourne McDonald's Future Generation Joint Venture University of Tasmania IBM Sony Music Experian Australia
Work highlights
Advising Woolworths on its national operations, including guidance on complex enterprise agreements and representation in significant employment disputes, as well as advising on payroll compliance and remediation programmes following the disclosure of substantial underpayments, including engagement with the Fair Work Ombudsman and representation in Federal Court proceedings and related class actions concerning salaried employee underpayments.
Acting for Uber in Federal Court proceedings concerning the employment status of drivers utilising the Uber Rides platform; the work involves addressing whether these individuals are employees or independent contractors, a matter of significant consequence for Uber’s business model in Australia and globally.
Advising the Qantas Group on all aspects of employment and industrial relations matters, including acting for Network Aviation Pty Ltd in one of the first intractable bargaining-related workplace determinations and acting for various Qantas Group entities in responding to some of the first applications for regulated labour hire arrangement orders.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Stephen Woodbury
Other key lawyers
Julia Sutherland; Jon Lovell