Spearheaded by Kristy Edser, Minter Ellison’s 'very experienced' labour and employment group is recognised as a market leader, regularly handling high-stakes employment, industrial relations, and discrimination matters for both public and private sector clients. Jim Fox is a trusted adviser to major players active in the banking and finance, manufacturing, and transport and logistics industries. Dan Williams frequently acts in union bargaining issues and applications before the Fair Work Commission, while Amanda Watt is noted for her expertise in risk management and complex discrimination and adverse action claims. The team’s depth was further strengthened by the promotion of Caitlin Ible to partner in 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Great industry knowledge!’
‘Jennifer Patterson gives accessible, sound and practical advice, and her sector knowledge is excellent.’
‘High quality advice that is provided with an understanding and appreciation for our business. Their advice is not provided in a vacuum.’
‘Harriet Eager is one of the best workplace law partners I have worked with in my 20 years of briefing partners in law firms. Her advice is practical, she takes the time to understand your business (and you never have to tell her anything twice) and tailors the advice accordingly. A true trusted advisor.’
‘The Minter Ellison Team are very experienced in the sector in which I work and seek advice. They are professional and thorough, and will often work closely with us to keep costs to a reasonable figure. The senior partners are very relational.'
‘The senior partners we work with are professional and very experienced. They understand our business needs.’
Key clients
- Peabody Energy
- WorkPac
- Transgrid
- Qantas Airways Limited
- Woolworths Group Limited
- National Rugby League Limited
- DoorDash
- Fire Rescue Victoria
- Brookfield Properties Australia Pty Ltd
Work highlights
Representing Peabody Energy in a critical matter in the High Court which will answer the important question whether the Fair Work Commission can require an employer to displace contractors in order to create redeployment opportunities in a redundancy situation.
Represented WorkPac, Australia's largest labour hire company, in relation to its response to approximately 20 'regulated labour hire arrangement order applications' filed by the Mining and Energy Union for 'same-job, same-pay' orders under the new 'same job same pay' legislative reforms to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
Represented Transgrid in relation to its bargaining with five trade unions for a new enterprise agreement to replace its existing agreement.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Amanda Watt
Dan Williams
Practice head
Kristy Edser
Other key lawyers
Jim Fox; Dan Williams; Amanda Watt; Caitlin Ible; Jennifer Patterson; Harriet Eager