Employment: Victoria
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 3 9258 3555About
Provided by Maddocks
The team at Maddocks is versatile and experienced, with a large team of lawyers who work across a broad range of employment and workplace issues.
We ensure that our clients are receiving best practice advice through a deep understanding of both the law and their key objectives and strategies.
Our experience with government at all three tiers is one key strength. We are a leading supplier to the State of Victoria and work closely with the NSW State Government, as well as advising a number of federal authorities and departments. We also work closely with local government.
We’ve also supported many private sector enterprises to implement successful labour strategies and navigate compliance and risk management issues to the highest standards.
Our team anticipates issues and develops strategies for managing risk long before they become a cause for concern for our clients. The result is a cost-effective solution that’s in line with your strategic objectives.
Maddocks also has deep expertise assisting emergency services on the full range of issues particular to their vital public role.
Maddocks is proud to be a finalist for Workplace and Employment Team of the Year in the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards 2023.
Chambers Review
Maddocks is noted for its high-quality employment law practice with expertise advising public sector clients on enterprise bargaining and industrial relations matters. It is visible advising clients from the healthcare, retail and financial services sectors. The team is also adept at advising clients on employee disputes such as unfair dismissal and confidential information matters. It provides additional specialised expertise in workplace health and safety issues and is noted for representing government departments in prosecutions. The practice maintains offices in Sydney and Canberra alongside its traditional Melbourne headquarters.
Work Highlights
- The Maddocks team advised Woolworths Group on an unfair dismissal claim brought by an employee whose employment was terminated summarily after he was found to have stolen a portable hard drive.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Maddocks stand out due to the quality of their advice and how they provide it. I have confidence in them."
"They are very responsive, knowledgeable and understand the uniqueness of our organisation."
"Maddocks stand out due to the quality of their advice and how they provide it. I have confidence in them."
"They are very responsive, knowledgeable and understand the uniqueness of our organisation."
Notable Practitioners
Bruce Heddle is a highly experienced practitioner who has a broad practice across the range of employment matters. He often assists employers on issues relating to engagement, remuneration and industrial relations.
"Bruce Heddle is amazing; his knowledge and experience means he understands concepts in depth."
"Bruce Heddle is who I would recommend; he has the ability to manage internal stakeholders."
Ross Jackson is well regarded for his practice in the public sector, often acting for government clients in disputes and enterprise bargaining matters.
"Ross Jackson is really smart and very pragmatic; he just delivers. He's focused on understanding risk appetite of the client, bringing a wealth of experience in handling Industrial Relations matters."
"I have always found Ross's advice and services to be skilled, pragmatic and outcome-focused."
Catherine Dunlop acts for a number of government departments as well as clients in the health and aged care sectors. She handles a range of workplace health and safety matters, including compliance, fatalities and inquests.
"Catherine is outstanding, her knowledge, experience and reputation is unparalleled."
Maree Skinner advises on contentious and compliance matters, involving both unions and employee relations.
"Maree Skinner is approachable, understanding and very patient, properly hearing the issues. She's co-operative and takes a hands-on approach."