Jim Fox |Partner

Jim has extensive experience in providing employment advice to universities particularly enterprise bargaining and industrial disputes but also including restructures, disciplinary proceedings, discrimination complaints, OH&S, policies and contracts of employment and independent contractor issues. He has a thorough understanding of the issues which arise in the higher education sector, especially the complex industrial challenges faced by universities. His client include University of New England, University of Western Sydney Charles Sturt University and University of Technology.

Jim provides strategic employment law advice to leading national employers as well as major multi-national clients. Harnessing a deep understanding of the wider industrial landscape, he has noted skill in complex challenges faced by global companies. He regularly advises on the implications of the Fair Work Act 2009, award modernisation, the National Employment Standards and new enterprise bargaining arrangements. Jim also has particular expertise handling sensitive matters involving senior executives.

Jim’s rich workplace related law and advocacy expertise includes specialist skill in the rising tide of discrimination issues. He has extensive experience in investigating, advising about and acting in a full range of discrimination, harassment, privacy and bullying complaints as well as adverse action and unfair dismissal claims.

He has extensive experience working with public sector employees and understands their particular challenges. Jim blends practical legal advice with a strong understanding of his public sector clients' policy objectives, focussing on the need for pragmatic advice which can be provided directly to the organisation and stakeholders, meeting tight time frames and the demands of internal clients.

A formidable industrial relations and human resources lawyer, Jim’s experience is matched only by his diverse industry sector expertise. Dealing widely in highly unionised industries, he advises on the full range of workplace issues. His expertise spans enterprise bargaining agreements, industrial negotiations and action, industrial disputes, freedom of association, terminations, employment contracts and independent contractor arrangements, union right of entry, employment policy reviews, sales of business, transmission of industrial instruments and restructuring.

Notably, he has advised Westpac on all aspects of the negotiation of is first enterprise agreement following its merger with St.George Bank. Jim has an impressive track record in union negotiation, bargaining and speedy dispute resolution involving actual and potential industrial action.

A leading occupational health and safety lawyer, Jim has extensive and diverse industry sector expertise. He has advised many manufacturing, retail and construction clients on compliance issues and the development of polices. Jim has particular experience in acting for large employers in industrial accidents resulting in death and serious injury, including defending prosecutions and appearing in coronial inquests.

Jim is a highly regarded trainer because he delivers his training, regardless of the topic, with a very accessible and practical focus. Jim regularly partners with his clients to prepare and deliver training for HR and legal teams as well as management and staff. He regularly presents at our highly regarded seminars and GuideME workshops.