Presenters

John Fernon SC, PG Hely Chambers
John is an experienced counsel who has advised and appeared across many areas of the law and is a leading expert in Employment and Industrial law. Since 2012, he has been recognised each year in the annual Doyles Guide as "Pre-eminent", "Leading" or "Recommended" Senior Counsel in both Employment Law and Work, Health & Safety in NSW and/or Australia along with ongoing recognition by his peers in the AFR Best Lawyers guide. With more than 30 years’ experience at the Bar and 17 years as Senior Counsel, John maintains a solid practice and regularly appears for a broad spectrum of clients across a range of Federal and State jurisdictions, including industrial tribunals. He has represented clients involving commercial, equity and administrative law disputes, as well as claims made under contracts of employment and the the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), workplace safety and common law claims for both plaintiffs and defendants in the Dust Diseases Tribunal.


Elizabeth Devine, Principal, Devine Law
Elizabeth Devine is an Accredited Specialist in Employment and Industrial Law. She is founded Devine Law at Work, a law firm and consultancy which specialises in employment law, workplace relations and conflict management in 2002. Elizabeth’s qualifications include a Masters of Dispute Resolution, a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts. She has been practicing law for 32 years and has specialised in all aspects of Australian employment law, workplace relations and conflict management for 27 years. Devine Law at Work provides services to employers in the public and private sectors and in a broad range of industries. Elizabeth’s approach is a holistic one, combining skills and expertise in the law, communication, systems, mediation, facilitation, conflict coaching, education and workplace investigation. These services focus on prevention and minimisation of risk, transformation of workplace issues into learning opportunities and long-term solutions and the enhancement of expertise within the workplace, including the professional development of leaders, managers and internal advisers. Elizabeth is passionate about enhancing the knowledge of others about workplace law. In recognition of her significant expertise in employment law and conflict management, Elizabeth has presented at employment law conferences and seminars in Australia on a regular basis for more than 20 years.