Employment, Safety & People Partner, Meaghan Bare, and Public Law Partner, Kate Oliver, have been recognised in Australasian Lawyer’s Elite Women 2026 list.

The annual rankings celebrate women who have showed a passion for the law and demonstrated influence within the profession. 

Meaghan Bare is an Employment, Safety and People Partner with more than 25 years’ experience advising employers on the full range of employment and workplace relations issues. Meaghan advises across complex employment matters, including discrimination and general protections claims, redundancies and terminations, award interpretation, post-employment restraints, enterprise bargaining, executive arrangements, workplace relations strategy and unfair dismissal claims. She is an experienced litigator, regularly acting in proceedings before the Fair Work Commission, Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court. Meaghan's private sector practice spans finance, education, technology, retail, manufacturing, construction and logistics, and she is particularly trusted on sensitive workplace matters, including sexual harassment, bullying, and executive exits, where clear judgment and practical strategy are critical. Read more here.

Kate Oliver is the Local Government Victoria sector leader at Maddocks and a trusted adviser to Victorian councils on governance, administrative law and public sector decision-making. Kate has deep experience advising councils on the statutory frameworks, governance obligations and regulatory issues that shape local government. She is known for providing clear, strategic and practical advice that helps councils navigate complex matters with confidence, particularly where decisions are sensitive, high-profile or require a careful understanding of council powers and responsibilities. Kate is valued for her technical expertise, sector knowledge and ability to deliver advice that is both legally sound and workable in practice. Read more here.

Congratulations to Meaghan and Kate on this special acknowledgement of your professional achievements and the impact you have on the Australian legal industry.