Eliza Evans Gracey
Special Counsel, Sydney
My focus is on being an extension of my clients’ business, working as a trusted advisor to manage a range of people and discrimination issues. I am highly experienced in advising on all aspects of the employment relationship, investigations and corporate transactions/corporate governance.

I advise clients on a wide range of employment law and workplace relations issues. I also specialise in discrimination law arising in the employment context, as well as in the provision of goods and services and education. I frequently act in relation to claims and complex litigation in specialist tribunals and courts.

I also enjoy delivering tailored training packages to provide clients with guidance on a number of common workforce issues including performance management, ill or injured employees, terminations, investigations and complaints handling.

Career highlights

  • Regularly acting in relation to sensitive, confidential and reputation-critical matters – including sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying matters and managing difficult employees.
  • Acted in a range of high profile discrimination matters – including King v Jetstar Airways Pty Limited [2012] FCAFC 115 where we assisted Jetstar to successfully defend the specific assistance that it provides to passengers with a disability.
  • Acted for the Commonwealth Bank in the landmark High Court decision which decided that the implied term of trust and confidence was not part of Australian law (CBA v Barker [2014] HCA 32) – described by Professor Joellen Riley as 'one of the most important employment law decisions this century.' This decision was a major win for employers in Australia.
  • Acted in a range of public and private corporate transactions – including providing integration advice following mergers and acquisitions.