Kristy Edser

|Partner

Kristy is a trusted employment law advisor who works with her clients’ human resources, legal and business leaders to deliver commercially focused solutions. Kristy’s practice encompasses a wide range of day-to-day and strategic services including preparation of employee contracts and policies; advising on recruitment, remuneration, performance management and employee entitlements; investigating workplace grievances; acting in relation to unfair dismissals and termination proceedings; and representing clients in proceedings before specialist industrial courts and tribunals.

Kristy also advises clients in relation to non-employment relationships, such as those with contractors and service providers.

Kristy's work with clients, particularly those in the financial services industry, involves advising clients on strategies to protect their business from departing employees. She deals with restraints of trade and protection of confidential information and, where necessary, represents clients before the Supreme and Federal courts.

With a thorough understanding of EEO and discrimination law, Kristy advises clients on diversity policy, harassment, discrimination and bullying. Clients value Kristy's particular expertise in advising on ill and injured workers and the complex legal issues that arise, including disability discrimination. She also investigates workplace grievances and is able to handle sensitive complaints involving senior employees.

Kristy has expertise and experience in industrial strategy and enterprise bargaining as well as in dealing with industrial action and related litigation. Kristy advises clients about the implications of the Fair Work Act particularly in relation to enterprise bargaining, award modernisation and employee entitlements.

Kristy is a respected employment lawyer who works in partnership with her clients to effectively manage all aspects of the employment relationship.

A commercially focused practitioner, Kristy advises organisations across a range of industries but has particular expertise in the finance and insurance, media and communications and healthcare sectors. Through her work with Australian and multi-national employers, Kristy understands the challenges associated with managing employment law obligations in a global context. Kristy appreciates the internal pressures and demands faced by employers and the importance of providing timely and accurate advice.

Prior to joining Minter Ellison, Kristy gained considerable experience as a workplace relations lawyer advising employees and unions.  Kristy advises at every stage of the employment relationship from recruitment, performance management, and employee remuneration and benefits, through to termination, unfair dismissal and post employment obligations. She also acts and advises in relation to occupational health and safety, workplace injuries, equal employment opportunity, harassment and discrimination.

Kristy’s clients include Amgen, Computershare, Insurance Australia Group, Macquarie Group, SingTel Optus, RBS, State Super Financial Services, and Zurich.

Kristy takes a proactive approach which includes identifying and advising on trends in cases and claims, emerging risks and changes to law. She has a particular expertise in developing and presenting training workshops on all aspects of employment law.

Kristy provides strategic advice to employers on all aspects of OHS, including the legal and commercial impact of workplace injuries, workers' compensation and rehabilitation issues. She also acts on behalf of employers in investigations and prosecutions related to workplace safety.

Kristy is particularly interested in helping clients take a pro-active approach to safety. She advises on the development of safety frameworks, policies and training and regularly partners with organisations to provide whole-of-business OHS training that includes personnel from the Board to the factory floor.