EXECUTIVE COUNSEL & TEAM LEADER

After graduating from the University of Wollongong in 2001, Jenny spent two and a half years working as a solicitor for one of Australia’s largest law firms. Jenny joined Harmers Workplace Lawyers in 2004 and became an Executive Counsel and Team Leader in 2010.

Jenny advises both employers and employees in relation to:

• managing and resolving complex industrial and employment disputes arising in any workplace setting;
• the operation of awards and industrial agreements, including the preparation of enterprise agreements;
• discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying claims;
• conducting, and advising on, workplace investigations;
• advising on and drafting employment contracts (including executive contracts);
• protection of confidential information, intellectual property and the enforcement of restraint of trade agreements;
• legal risks associated with termination of employment (including unfair dismissal claims and general protections claims);
• employment and industrial relations implications from mergers and acquisitions;
• employment issues arising under the Corporations legislation;
• workplace health and safety laws;
• privacy issues; and
• compliance training and presentations in relation to the above.

Jenny regularly represents her clients at the Fair Work Commission, at the Australian Human Rights Commission, and in Federal and State Courts in dealing with a range of employment, industrial, and human rights claims.

Jenny has extensive experience in dealing with sensitive and high-profile sexual harassment claims. Jenny was the lead lawyer acting on behalf of the Applicant in the Federal Court of Australia, and then before the Full Bench of the Federal Court of Australia on appeal, in the landmark sexual harassment and discrimination case of Richardson v Oracle Corporation Australia Pty Ltd [2014] FCAFC 82. The Richardson v Oracle case, on appeal, significantly developed the law in Australia in relation to damages in the area of sexual harassment and human rights.

Jenny also has a passion for industrial relations and has provided specialist advice to numerous clients in this space. For example, Jenny has provided strategic advice to an employer facing claims from the CPSU that employees were being paid below minimum Award rates of pay. This claim involved Jenny and her team undertaking a detailed analysis of current and historical Award coverage in the social and community services sector, in order to advise on Award coverage for this sector. This work by Jenny and her team allowed the employer to move forward and negotiate a new enterprise agreement with its workforce.