Legal Director

James brings over 30 years of Employment Law experience to our Employment and Commercial team.

I am a nearly 30 years PQE lawyer with top tier law firm foundation, 15+ years in private practice and 12 years in-house experience in General Counsel positions.

I have extensive experience in all areas of employment, industrial and related workplace relations law (such as discrimination, disability, health and safety, workers’ compensation, transfer of business, directors’ duties and immigration).

As a lawyer and General Counsel, I am very “hands on”.  I am relaxed, down to earth, cool under pressure and relate well with stakeholders.  I aim to make the legal function accessible.

I am an experienced and capable litigator, having conducted litigation in Fair Work Australia, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, VCAT, Magistrates Courts in Victoria and South Australia, the Federal Circuit and Family Court, the Supreme Courts of Victoria and Western Australia, the Courts of Appeal in South Australia and Western Australia, the Federal Court, the Full Federal Court, and the High Court of Australia.

I also have considerable experience in managing data, IP and privacy compliance and data security challenges that arise from the use of modern technology.

I have excellent drafting skills, am a stickler for detail in drafting and reviewing contracts, and I have sound commercial judgment.

I don’t shy away from doing hard things.

Between 1987 and 2005 I was an Officer in the Australian Naval Reserve in the Intelligence and Legal branches.  During this time I gained the Australian Navy’s formal Intelligence qualification and undertook a period of full-time service.

I performed an operational intelligence role during Australia’s involvement in the Peace Keeping mission in Timor, and I deployed on United States warship USS Blue Ridge on two occasions, out of Japan and Guam.  During those deployments I was an intelligence officer of the watch and responsible for synthesizing intelligence and briefing the Fleet Commander of the United States Seventh Fleet and embarked US Naval officers and Marines.

I enjoy conducting informative and engaging legal training and education sessions and presenting at conferences and seminars.