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Kate Pennicott
Partner, Brisbane
I have a deep understanding and interest in the unique complexities and challenges in the education and research sectors. I partner with universities, research institutes, residential colleges, schools and early learning providers to solve a wide range of legal, regulatory and people problems.

In addition to being an education industry expert, I work with a broad range of clients in other sectors, including not-for-profit, health and aged care.

I regularly guide employers through complex investigations, conduct and performance processes, managing ill and injured workers, enterprise bargaining, industrial disputes, governance, regulatory and administrative matters. I have considerable litigation experience and have represented large organisations in employment, industrial relations and discrimination matters before a range of Commissions, Tribunals and Courts.

I am a recognised expert in managing research integrity issues. Research institutions seek my guidance on complex research integrity processes, research collaboration arrangements and compliance with the framework under the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. I also have particular expertise in guiding organisations through large-scale wage compliance projects, including liaison with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Career highlights

  • Advising higher education and research institutions in relation to a wide range of regulatory and employment issues and disputes. Recent examples include active advisory roles in the negotiation, voting and approval process for University enterprise agreements, assistance with large scale wage remediation projects, and the conduct of a high-profile inquiry into allegations of research misconduct.
  • Advising schools, school governing bodies and early learning providers on governance and regulatory compliance, child safeguarding, bargaining and industrial relations, staff and student discrimination, staff performance and conduct, enrolment disputes and safety and wellbeing.
  • Acting for numerous employers in proceedings under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), including complex adverse action proceedings in the Federal Court, unfair dismissal, disputes under enterprise agreements, industrial action and stop bullying applications.
  • Regularly acting in relation to sensitive, confidential and reputation-critical matters – including sexual harassment, discrimination and racial vilification, psychosocial hazards, crime and corruption matters, whistleblowing/public interest disclosures, parallel HR processes and managing difficult employees.
  • Conducting training and seminars for executives, legal counsel and HR professionals about a range of matters, including appropriate workplace behaviour, psychosocial safety and wellbeing, conducting investigations and performance management.

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