Failing to stay on top of recent changes in employment law could leave your clients vulnerable to costly legal pitfalls. From contracting out of award entitlements to managing unprotected industrial action, the stakes are higher than ever. Don’t risk falling behind on critical issues like the Fair Work Ombudsman’s enforcement powers or workplace right of entry laws. Ensure you're prepared to thrive in the evolving landscape of employment law and avoid costly missteps that could jeopardise your clients and your practice.

Presenters

Nicholas Ellery, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
With over 25 years of experience, Nicholas is trusted by senior executives and boards of leading businesses to get to the heart of any workforce issue and to deliver a clear solution. He works with clients on all aspects of labour relations strategy, litigation concerning employment, policy and compliance, discrimination, industrial disputes, and health and safety issues. Nicholas works with leading industries in WA with large and complex workforces; maritime, oil and gas, construction, and mining. At the forefront of legal employment issues Nicholas regularly provides training, workshops, and news commentary. Nicholas is a member of the Board of Corrs Chambers Westgarth, and a national committee member at the Australian Labour Law Association.


Natasha Leedman, Specialist Workplace Lawyer & Consultant
Natasha operates a private consulting business providing specialist advice and representation in workplace law for both corporate and individual clients. Specifically, Natasha provides front-end advisory work and conducts litigation on state and federal workplace relations law, equal opportunity and discrimination law, work health and safety, vocational regulation, privacy, and confidentiality, and is also experienced in freedom of information matters. She has strong experience in working across some key sectors including transport, energy and resources, technology, government, financial and professional services, construction, property, manufacturing, retail, health, and education. Natasha has over 20 years' collective experience working in the banking and finance, and government, sectors as well as in private practice, including a secondment to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (now Fair Work Commission). In her most recent role, Natasha was a Partner in the Workplace practice group of a leading national firm. Natasha has varied interests outside of work, including being an active board and committee member of a leading independent school in Perth.


Steve Heathcote, Barrister & Principal, Heathcote Workplace Law
Steve has had careers in banking, training/education, industry associations, and his latest (and last) career is in law. He has completed a Commerce degree majoring in Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations, and a Bachelor of Laws. Steve has worked at several law firms ranging from boutique Labour Law firm Bartlett & Co to top-tier firm Clayton Utz, and some mid-tier firms too. Steve established his own practice in July 2013 in which he works as a sole practitioner where he continues to look after a group of loyal long-term corporate clients.


Rosemary Roach, Partner, Hall & Willcox
Rosie has over 20 years' experience in employment, industrial, work health and safety and discrimination law. Rosie has assisted clients with large and diverse workforces, across a variety of industries on all aspects of employment law and industrial relations, from sensitive disciplinary matters to dealing with complex industrial strategies and litigation. Rosie enjoys getting to know her clients and their business imperatives. Rosie understands how important it is to communicate legal issues in a manner that makes sense to the client and addresses their objectives.


Nikita Barsby, Special Counsel, MCD Legal
Nikita (BA LLB, Murdoch University) is Special Counsel at MDC Legal. She has over a decade’s experience in workplace and employment law. She has been recognised as a recommended employment lawyer in Doyle’s Guide to the Legal Profession in 2018 and 2019. Nikita has worked with Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Lynn & Brown Lawyers, prior to joining MDC Legal. Nikita has advocacy and negotiation experience in the Federal Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts of Western Australia, in the Fair Work Commission and in the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission. She advises employees and employers on all aspects of State and Federal workplace laws, including unfair dismissals and general protections matters, contractual and statutory rights and obligations, the drafting and interpretation of employment contracts, redundancies, performance management and termination and discrimination. Nikita also works with Human Resources practitioners and business owners in the development of workplace relations strategies, policies and procedures.