Tim McDonald has joined Moray & Agnew to head up the firm's workplace practice in Sydney.

McDonald brings a wealth of experience drawn from representing employers across a broad spectrum of workplace relations, human resources and employment advisory issues.

He has been the lead employer advocate in most major test cases affecting employers in New South Wales over the past decade, tackling issues concerning enterprise bargaining, awards, discrimination, termination of employment, industrial disputes and union rights.

Discussing the reasons for his move to Moray & Agnew, McDonald said: "Moray & Agnew offered me the ability to move into a practice group leader role, [in a] strong national practice."

"I'd previously been the workplace relations director at the Employers Federation and I was the senior advisor to Joe Hockey, and they were quite good leadership roles. I enjoyed being a partner at Sparke Helmore...but this [role] offered something extra. [Moray & Agnew] have a very good practice to build on and I was at the stage where I could [take] the next step," he said.

Commenting on his appointment, Moray & Agnew's national managing partner Michael Pitt said: "Tim's industry, government and legal experience in advising and working with employers across different sectors in various capacities will certainly be an asset to our clients and to the firm."

According to McDonald, the firm expects to further develop the workplace practice.