EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

James has extensive experience providing legal services to private and public sector clients in various industries including health, building & construction and government.

James has represented private and public sector clients in employment and industrial disputes in state and federal courts and tribunals, such as unfair dismissal and general protection claims, discrimination claims and disputes regarding the interpretation of enterprise agreements. In litigious matters, he is skilled at developing litigation strategy and obtaining positive outcomes for clients.

James understands the impact that workplace issues and disputes can have on an organisation’s productivity, culture and reputation, and the importance of resolving these issues in a timely and efficient way.  

James regularly provides pragmatic advice to clients, including insurers, regarding employment, industrial and occupational health and safety law matters. He has speciality in providing legal services to clients in the health sector. 

James previously worked at a law firm that exclusively provided services to the Victorian public sector, as well as a medium sized law firm and employer associations.

James is known for providing pragmatic, clear and concise advice to clients so that they are aware of the legal implications of the matter they seek legal services in relation to.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

James’ major matters include:

• Obtaining a successful outcome for a Victorian public hospital in a dispute in the Federal Court of Australia regarding the interpretation of the long service leave provisions of an enterprise agreement which had sector wide implications
• Representing a state government department in defending a general protections claim in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
• Successfully defending a discrimination claim in the Federal Court of Australia on behalf of a Victorian public hospital, by having the claim summarily dismissed
• Representing a client at the Fair Work Commission and obtaining an order that an existing enterprise agreement cover future non-transferring employees
• Obtaining a positive outcome for a Victorian public hospital at the Fair Work Commission in a dispute under an enterprise agreement concerning the classification of a cohort of employees at the Fair Work Commission
• Representing a client in an underpayment claim in the Magistrates Court of Victoria concerning various enterprise agreements and developing the key defence strategy for the client
• Representing a not-for-profit organisation in the County Court of Victoria in an employment contract breach of contract claim from a former executive employee.
• Providing legal advice to a Victorian public sector client on the constitutional application of the Fair Work Act and the implications of non-compliance with specific matters.