Mills Oakley's labour and employment team leverages its national strength to assist clients in the insurance, hospitality, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining and public sectors. The practice co-heads include Melbourne-based Ross LevinLaura Sowden, who is based in Sydney; and the 'exceptional operator' Daniel White in the firm's Perth office. Jamie Wells' workload includes advising on industrial relations disputes, and regularly defends mining sector entities before the Federal Court. Kathryn Hunter is well versed in handling enterprise bargaining matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Really excellent knowledge of labour and employment in Australia. They are extremely responsive with very strategic thinking. Excellent with IR and employment issues.’

  • ‘Daniel White is an exceptional operator. He is highly responsive, very knowledgeable and strategic and really understands what I want as a client. He is always willing to make himself available and extremely efficient. ’

  • ‘Jamie Wells is outstanding.' 

  • ‘Mills Oakley is unique for its personalised, attentive service.'

  • ‘Daniel White organises his team so that I receive the best service depending upon the matter. Daniel White is exceptional: responsive, approachable, and considerate.'

Key clients

  • Starbucks Australia
  • CPB Contractors
  • Veolia Environmental Services Pty Ltd
  • Koko Black

Work highlights

  • Assisted Starbucks Coffee Australia with an investigation into historic underpayment claims worth AUD$4.5M.
  • Advised CPB Contractors in relation to potential industrial action affecting the Cross River Rail Project.
  • Advised the Fremantle Port Authority on enterprise bargaining matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ross Levin, Dr Laura Sowden, Daniel White, Jamie Wells, William Ward, Patrick Walsh, Sophie Cleveland

Other key lawyers

Kathryn Hunter