Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors (ABLA) specialises in workplace relations, corporate and commercial law, and has four directors, 12 employment lawyers and five specialist workplace advisers across New South Wales and Queensland.

ABLA believes the diversity in its team members' backgrounds means they have the skills to act in a variety of areas.

Another boutique finalist is Sydney-based employment and industrial law firm Harmers Workplace Lawyers, which seeks to implement workplace fairness for all by representing a range of clients including employers, employees and their representative organisations.

Harmers Workplace Lawyers has developed a unique form of ‘holistic lawyering’, where the firm goes above and beyond to help individuals facing injustice in the workplace and assist them through the psychological effects they may be suffering.

Perth-based employment and workplace relation law firm MDC Legal promotes diversity and gender equality in all workplaces, including their own. Two of the three leaders and seven of the 10 employees in the firm are women, and more than half of MDC Legal's employees have flexible work arrangements.

The MDC Legal team proudly provides pro bono or special fee services to not-for-profit organisations and vulnerable individuals who cannot afford the usual legal expenses.

Other finalists for the category are national firms Clayton Utz and Lander & Rogers, as well as international firms Herbert Smith Freehills, Norton Rose Fulbright and Squire Patton Boggs.

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