K&L Gates’s employment practice advises across a wide range of industries, including the education, public sector, retail, professional services, agriculture, construction, energy, and transport industries. Michaela Moloney leads the practice, specialising in employment, industrial relations, and discrimination matters, with extensive experience advising government bodies, healthcare organisations, and sports-based clients. Stephen Hardy heads up the Sydney team, covering all aspects of employment and industrial law, while Leila Moddel is frequently instructed on employment disputes, with a particular focus on whistleblowing issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'KLG’s employment law team have effectively worked with our business as partners in HR and employment advisory and compliance. As a small but growing team, we have drawn on the KLG team for a variety of advice, from contract drafting through to advisory on more complex employment matters. They provide pragmatic and practical advice that, importantly for us, is appropriate for the size and stage of our business.'
- 'The people make this practice unique. Their strength is the ability to provide commercial legal advice and guidance, with experience and appreciation for our business.'
- 'They are very approachable and easy to contact.'
- 'The team is authentic and provides a service that feels truly collaborative, not just a client–provider relationship.'
- 'Nick Ruskin has detailed expert knowledge, is very prompt in his responses, and always gives wise advice.'
- 'Nothing is ever too much for Nick Ruskin. He is accessible, available, client-focused, and willing to go the extra mile.'
- 'We instruct Nick Ruskin on a range of complex and high-value matters, and we appreciate his professionalism, responsiveness, and depth of expertise. His advice is always clear and commercially astute, enabling us to make well-informed decisions in fast-moving situations. We particularly value Nick’s understanding of our business and his ability to quickly navigate complex legal issues.'
- 'Alanna Fitzpatrick has been supporting our business since our early days. She has developed a deep understanding of our business, objectives, context, and resourcing, and has consistently delivered exceptional service that meets our needs. As a result of Alanna’s engagement and the team’s support, KLG have become integral partners, and we have recommended them to other businesses in our sector seeking advice and support.'
Key clients
- Australia Football League
- BlueScope Steel Limited
- Cricket Australia
- Essendon Football Club
- EBOS Group
- Infosys Technologies Ltd
- Master Builders Association of Victoria
- Murrays Australia
- Royal Melbourne Hospital
- Victoria University
- Victorian Managed Insurance Authority
Work highlights
Represented the Royal Melbourne Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Australia, in the Federal Court of Australia in an urgent application by a surgeon to return to work after having been stood down by the Hospital pending an investigation into his conduct.
Acting for Infosys Technologies, a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting with over 323,000 employees, in relation to a range of employment law matters including defending unfair dismissal proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, providing advice in relation to a long service leave claim, and advising on general protections claims.
Advising Cricket Australia on employment law and workplace safety matters as well as across other legal areas including intellectual property, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate and leasing, and corporate governance.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Michaela Moloney
Other key lawyers
Stephen Hardy; Leila Moddel; Nick Ruskin; Alanna Fitzpatrick