Stephen Woodbury
AshurstWith offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra, market leader Ashurst leverages its national bench strength to assist with employment litigation, workplace investigations, workforce structuring and industrial relations. The group is led from the Sydney office by global employment practice head Stephen Woodbury, who advises on the employment law aspects of corporate transactions, and Lea Constantine, who handles workplace disputes as well as health and safety issues. In Brisbane, Ian Humphreys is known for providing strategic advice and workplace training to government entities and large corporations, while Perth-based partner Julia Sutherland is recognised for her representation of clients in various courts and tribunals. Another name to note is ‘standout’ lawyer Jon Lovell.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team provide expert legal advice in a practical, easy to digest way. When working with them, you feel taken care of. They understand the internal demands on their clients and always deliver advice and guidance which, as well as delivering to the brief, helps you manage internal stakeholders. Absolutely my go to. ’
‘Jon Lovell is a standout. As well as providing expert advice, Jon Lovell always values the opinions and views of his clients. Making sure that their perspective is properly taken into account in the process of giving advice. ’
‘Excellent team working with the largest corporates in Australia with deep experience working with international companies. The most experienced firm in dealing with regulators and compliance issues.’
‘We use Ashurst LLP as they are thorough, professional, work with their clients to build rapport and excellent working relationships whereupon all parties involved benefit from the collaboration.’
‘We work closely with Ian Humphreys and Sean Casey as the advice they provide is simply heads above the rest, in terms of top tier legal advice being delivered. The advice is clear, succinct, to the point and commercially beneficial for my workplace.’
Key clients
- Woolworths Group Limited
- Anglo American
- AGL Energy Limited
- BHP
- Uber
- Qantas
- Commonwealth Government
- University of Melbourne
- Airservices Australia
- McDonald's Australia
- NSW Trains
Work highlights
- Advising BHP's Operational Services on the management of industrial action arising out of the negotiation of enterprise agreements.
- Acting for Uber in proceedings in the Federal Court, concerning the status of drivers who utilise the Uber Rides platform and whether or not they are employees or independent contractors.
- Acting for Qantas in defending a non-dismissal general protections application brought against it by a female pilot.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Julia Sutherland
AshurstPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Stephen Woodbury, Lea Constantine