It’s our goal to ensure that your business thrives and enjoys positive employee relationships, despite the challenges that legal red tape poses for all businesses. We understand that advice on employment law needs to be not only accurate, specific and commercial, but also swift. We have the experience to achieve this and to solve your problems.
Our team
We focus on getting to know you, developing long-term relationships as we guide you through the ever-changing legal and industrial environment. We assist you by drafting employment contracts which minimise exposure to awards, lessen the risk of claims and emphasise clarity, flexibility and simplicity.
We have acted for both employers and employees in a broad range of industries, including hospitality, retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, aged care, finance, professional services, building and construction, as well as the not-for-profit sector and government.
Expertise
- Advice in relation to the Fair Work Act
- Enterprise agreements, employment agreements and letters of appointment
- Terminating employees and managing employee exits
- Post-employment restraints
- Restraint of trade, confidential information and privacy
- Negotiation with WorkCover, insurers and trade unions
- Advice on application of awards and employee statutory and award entitlements
- Contractor and employee agreements
- Redundancy and restructuring
- Managing employee underperformance
- Managing ill or injured employees
- Managing employee grievances and workplace disputes
- Workplace surveillance and monitoring of internet and email use
- Harassment and bullying matters
- Industrial disputes
- Awards and Statutory obligations of employers
- Workplace polices — general
- Workplace policies – industrial instruments
- Advice on performance & conduct
- Advice on workplace surveillance
- Advice on right of entry
- Advice on anti-discrimination
- Advice on diversity
- Advice on competition issues/restraints
- Unfair Dismissals
- Complex Workplace investigations
- Standard workplace investigations
Useful Links
Publications
Kyle and Jackie O: The Workplace Relations Law Perspective
The relationship between showbusiness duos often comes to an acrimonious end. Martin and Lewis split at the height of their…
The Papercut Decision and the Current Position on WFH
The FWC’s Johnson v PaperCut Software decision has renewed debate about the limits of working from home rights. While some have…
Valentine’s Day in the Workplace (2026 Edition)
Valentine’s Day may appear harmless, but in workplaces it can create legal and cultural risks. Even well‑meant romantic gestures can…
In the News
Michael Byrnes appeared on The Quarter Hour, a radio industry podcast hosted by Wade Kingsley, to discuss the legal aspects of the Kyle and Jackie O split, on 13 March 2026
Michael Byrnes appeared on The Quarter Hour, a radio industry podcast hosted by Wade Kingsley, to discuss the legal aspects of the…
McKnight Tonight with Robert McKnight interviews Michael Byrnes on the legal aspects of the Kyle and Jackie O split (from 28:25 to 51:00):
In this in‑depth interview, Michael Byrnes, Partner and employment law specialist, shares practical insights on workplace relations, employment law trends…
Michael Byrnes is quoted in the article, “DIY justice: The surge of self-representation and its toll on the justice system”, published in Lawyers Weekly on 11 March 2026
Michael Byrnes is quoted in the article, “DIY justice: The surge of self-representation and its toll on the justice system”…