A merger between the existing employment and industrial relations and workers’ compensation teams, the practice will give clients better access to the expertise of the entire team.

“Creating one large workplace relations practice means clients can quickly and easily access comprehensive, seamless legal advice,” said senior associate Robert Tidbury.

The new practice places the firm in a better position to meet demands created by the introduction of the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Bill 2005, according to senior associate Jill Hignett. “The Work Choices Bill has seen an increased demand for specialist workplace relations legal advice — for both knowledge relating to the effect of the changes and advice as to how employers can change their current employee practices for the better,” she said.