Rory Jolley
Special Counsel, Melbourne
My practice covers the full spectrum of employment law, with a specialty in discrimination/human rights law and employment-related litigation. I assist clients to successfully manage matters across the full life cycle of an employment relationship, including advising on legislative obligations, contract issues, award and agreement issues, disciplinary matters, complaints and investigations and separation issues.

I pride myself on understanding my clients' whole business, and the associated imperatives arising. Clients particularly appreciate my strategic and commercial acumen, and my calm and sensible approach.

As well as employment law, I routinely practice in industrial relations, work health and safety, administrative and privacy law, as well as regularly carrying out and advising on workplace investigations. I am an experienced alternative dispute resolution practitioner and accomplished negotiator.

I have a particular interest in navigating sensitive matters, which require specific and careful attention from a reputational and relational perspective. I recognise the importance of assisting my clients to manage all of their various stakeholders in order to obtain the best outcomes for their business from a truly holistic perspective. The agency by which I achieve results is primarily through the genuine and authentic relationships that I build.

Career highlights

  • Acted for a major Victorian government enterprise in a seminal Federal Court case in relation to the nature and breadth of the concept of reasonable adjustments in disability discrimination law.
  • Acting for many years for a major insurer, advising in relation to numerous employment disputes, unfair dismissal, adverse action and discrimination claims, including appearing and advocating for insured parties in hearings before the Fair Work Commission and State/Federal courts and tribunals.
  • Acted for a large education institution in respect of a number of lengthy and complex unlawful discrimination claims heard in the Federal Court.
  • Acted for a national health care regulator for many years including tribunal hearings and appeals to the Supreme Court of Victoria.
  • Acting as a long-term supervisor for Justice Connect's Homeless Law program and providing separate pro bono advice to a range of individuals and social enterprises.