IEL Elite

Overview

Ashurst’s employment and benefits team is spread across Asia-Pacific and Europe.

The department advises both private and public companies, and regularly acts across a host of sectors – including financial services, energy and resources, and infrastructure.

Sydney-based global head Stephen Woodbury is a key point of contact, as is Crowley Woodford in London, who leads the European team.

The practice has been strengthened this year with the elevation to partner of Tamara Lutvey in Brisbane in May 2022.

Specialisms

The team’s broad skillset in advisory matters includes performance review, disciplinary actions, and terminations; data protection and privacy; and contracts, policies, and procedures. Expertise extends to remuneration, incentives (including employee share plans), and pensions, as well as immigration and global mobility.

Litigators have extensive experience in a wide array of employment disputes, both before employment tribunals and in court. These include unfair dismissals, breaches of contract, allegations against senior executives, and discrimination claims. In addition, the team is able to support with associated reputational impacts.

A key area of work is in health and safety, including the management of incidents, representation in prosecutions and inquests, and related governance. The team also provides workplace training, and aids in ensuring compliance in supply chains and outsourcing agreements.

Industrial relations expertise includes assistance with collective bargaining, as well as representation in union claims. This extends to acting on employee representative issues associated with TUPE or workforce restructuring matters.

In addition, team members offer notable expertise in the Modern Slavery Act, equal opportunities, and whistleblowing.

Other key names

• Kensuke Inoue (Japan)
• Cristina Grande (Spain)
• Andreas Mauroschat (Germany)
• Muriel Pariente (France)
• Derek Wood (Papua New Guinea)

Experts based in…

Australia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Spain, and the United Kingdom.