Associate / Senior Associate (Employment & Industrial Relations)

About HPL 

Hall Payne Lawyers (HPL) has a proud tradition of helping Australians from all walks of life achieve fair and just outcomes when they experience difficulties or hardship at work. This is an opportunity to do meaningful work with a tangible, positive impact for clients and the broader community.

We aim to be an agent for progressive change—supporting employees in challenging circumstances and assisting unions to achieve outcomes that improve workplaces and communities.

We want our people to feel proud of the work they do. We offer a supportive and flexible workplace that recognises the importance of balancing professional commitments with family and community life.

Our Melbourne Employment team is expanding, and we have an exciting opportunity for an Associate/Senior Associate to join our practice in employment disputes and industrial litigation. Collaboration is at the heart of the team, and you will be supported by Principal Solicitors recognised nationally as leaders in employment and industrial law. You will act for a diverse client base, including unions, their members and community organisations.

About the Role

Our Melbourne team is growing, and we have an exciting opportunity for an Associate or Senior Associate to join our practice. We are seeking applicants with experience in employment and industrial law, including exposure to contested matters in the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Courts. You will have a minimum of 5+ years’ PAE in employment and industrial law. You will demonstrate a strong understanding of employment and industrial relations issues and bring well-developed drafting, advisory and advocacy skills. This role will also include building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, referrers and key stakeholders. 

Our employment and industrial law team provide a broad range of services including:

• Fair Work Act contravention proceedings, including general protections, NES, award and enterprise agreement contraventions;
• Assisting major unions and professional associations with bargaining, protected action ballots and industrial action;
• Representation and advocacy in industrial disputes in the courts and in the Fair Work Commission and state industrial commissions;
• Employment contract disputes, including wrongful termination and incentive scheme disputes; 
• Workplace investigations and disciplinary processes;
• Restraint of trade and confidentiality matters;
• Unlawful termination, discrimination and sexual harassment claims;
• Advising in relation to union right of entry; and
• Professional conduct and discipline matters concerning regulated professions.

You may also have the opportunity to gain experience in related diverse and challenging areas of law, including corporate and associations law, coronial inquests, defamation, and electoral and political legal issues.

This is a growing practice and an excellent opportunity for a motivated lawyer looking to advance their career in employment and industrial law within a supportive and progressive firm.