About Bruce

Regarded as one of Australia's leading employment and industrial relations litigators, Bruce has extensive experience advising clients in industries including transport, energy, mining, construction, education, financial services, insurance, telecommunications, health and manufacturing.

Bruce has advised on all aspects of employment, work health and safety, anti-discrimination and industrial relations law, including workplace behaviour, prosecutions, employer policies and contracts of employment. His strong background in work health and safety and equal opportunity has led to Bruce managing large disputes in both courts and industrial tribunals. This experience has led to him being recognised as a recommended lawyer in Doyle's Guide, Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers.

Awards & Recognition:

  • Ranked for Employment: New South Wales in the Chambers Asia Pacific Guide 2023
  • Recommended for Labour & Employment, and Labour & Employment: Work Health & Safety, by the Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide 2023

Experience

  • Employment

    Investigating allegations of inappropriate workplace behaviour and performance made between senior partners of the client. The investigation included interviewing over 40 partners, employees and contractors in connection with the allegations made by the complainant. A report and associated recommendations were prepared.

  • Safety

    Assisted in the investigation about and the reporting of the emergency landing of a helicopter operated by an air services operator in which our client’s employees were seriously injured. This included dealing with the police, the WorkCover Authority and the Transport Safety Bureau. Recommendations included improvements to employee training, tendering arrangements and the terms on which air service operators are engaged in the future.

  • Health & safety prosecutions

    Acted for Sydney Diagnostic Services in an occupational health and safety prosecution which was a test case concerning occupational overuse syndrome allegedly suffered by white collar workers engaged in the provision of health services.

  • Employment

    Acted for Health Communication Network in a test case in the New South Wales Court of Appeal on the incorporation of employer policies into contracts of employment.

  • Industrial relations

    Acted in HBOS’ sale of BankWest dealing with various employment issues arising in connection with the acquisition of BankWest by the Commonwealth Bank.

  • "He is very well regarded in the marketplace"

    Chambers Asia Pacific

  • "He works incredibly hard to meet deadlines"

    Chambers Asia Pacific

  • "Everyone has a lot of confidence when dealing with him that they have the right advice"

    Chambers Asia Pacific

  • "He's a very steady pair of hands and we always get good results"

    Chambers Asia Pacific

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