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Marks Pritchard has bolstered its leadership with the appointment of a former Fair Work Ombudsman lawyer, who has joined the firm as an executive counsel.
Claresta Hartley has joined boutique law firm Marks Pritchard as an executive counsel and advises employers and employees on a wide range of employment law, workplace relations, and industrial relations matters.
Established in 2024, Marks Pritchard was formed by former BigLaw practitioners Sandra Marks and Emma Pritchard, with the aim of helping people navigate the intricate challenges of employment and discrimination law.
Bringing nearly 20 years of expertise from both government and private areas, including tenures at the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman – where she was most recently a senior lawyer for over four years – Hartley delivers both practical and commercially focused guidance to assist her clients in mitigating risk and resolving delicate workplace dilemmas.
With extensive knowledge of advising on the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), modern awards and enterprise agreements, as well as compliance and workplace law reforms, Hartley brings well-rounded experience towards solving complex workplace issues.
Speaking to Lawyers Weekly, Hartley expressed her eagerness to join Marks Pritchard and outlined her role in further detail.
“What excites me most about joining Marks Pritchard is helping clients navigate and manage employment-related matters with confidence, and assisting them to achieve resolution and strong outcomes,” Hartley said.
“I’m also excited to work with Sandra and Emma again – they are exceptional employment lawyers and genuinely wonderful people, with extensive experience in delivering considered, strategic employment advice.
“I’ll be working across employment and discrimination law, assisting clients throughout the employment life cycle.
“This includes drafting and negotiating employment contracts and related arrangements, developing workplace policies and procedures, and advising on performance management, disciplinary processes, investigations, grievances and terminations.
“I also advise on workplace issues involving misconduct, discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment, and support clients to implement fair and lawful processes and outcomes.”
Based in Sydney, Hartley commenced her time at Marks Pritchard in June.
