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.


Andrew Wilson, Barrister, State Chambers
Andrew maintains a broad practice that focuses on the principal areas of commercial law, employment law, and criminal and regulatory law. Andrew brings with him over 25 years’ experience across law, government and industrial relations. He was called to the Bar in 2020 after having been admitted as a solicitor in 2007, and having worked in industrial relations since 1997. As a solicitor he worked in both private and government practice, and as an advisor to the Attorney General of New South Wales. Andrew’s commercial practice spans disputes relating to general commercial matters, building and construction, consumer law, technology, commercial equity, and corporations law and insolvency. His employment practice includes both the individual and collective aspects of employment law, as well as work health and safety. Andrew’s criminal and regulatory practice extends to advising and appearing in matters relating to general crime, professional discipline, firearms and occupational licencing, working with children matters, and heavy vehicle prosecutions. Since being called to the Bar, Andrew has appeared in a wide range of matters on behalf of ASX-listed companies, small and medium sized enterprises, individuals, insolvency practitioners, not-for-profit entities and trade unions. He primarily appears in the Supreme, District and Local Courts of New South Wales, Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Fair Work Commission and the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). His experience also extends to appearing led in matters in the New South Wales Court of Appeal and the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal. Andrew is valued for his technical proficiency and highly developed interpersonal skills. He holds a Master of Laws, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Bachelor of Commerce. Andrew is a member of various professional associations. In addition to his litigation and advisory practice, he acts as a Mediator in commercial and employment disputes.