Julia Sutherland

Partner

Perth

+61 8 9366 8732 | +61 438 566 300

julia.sutherland@ashurstperkins.com

Overview
Experience

Introduction

Julia brings over 25 years' experience working with some of Australia's largest employers across employment law, industrial relations, discrimination and work health and safety.

Julia Sutherland advises employers in responding to all forms of employment law litigation and workplace disputes in Courts and in employment and anti-discrimination Tribunals. Julia regularly advises on wage compliance, employee misconduct and investigations , employment issues in business sales and restructures, the terms and conditions of executive employment and assists clients to manage employee exits. What sets Julia apart is her ability to give clear legal advice, which is sensitive to her client's organizational values and risk appetite.

Julia is also sought after for her extensive experience, across most States and Territories in Australia, in assisting clients with their responses to workplace incidents (including fatalities), advising clients about managing regulator investigations into incidents and acting for clients in prosecutions by safety regulators and in Coronial inquests. Julia is regularly asked to present to Boards and senior leaders on how to comply with their personal due diligence obligations.

Professional Experience

Alcoa of Australia Limited | Lead partner | 2022 – 2025 | Acted on prosecutions commenced by the WA WHS regulator in connection with Alcoa's Kwinana and Pinjarra Refinery operations.
(BOC) Linde | Lead partner | 2022 – ongoing | Advised and acted for BOC in successfully defending a high profile WHS prosecution arising from the death of a baby at the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital brought by SafeWork NSW in the District Court of NSW for breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and a subsequent judicial review application brought in the NSW Court of Appeal, seeking to quash the decision of the District Court acquitting BOC of the charges. Continuing to advise and act in the associated inquest.
Chamber of Minerals and Energy | Lead partner | 2022 – 2023 | Advising the Chamber of Minerals and Energy in relation to the Parliamentary Inquiry into sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry.
Clients in the mining, retail, energy, and transport sectors | Regularly advising on individual employment claims and disputes commenced by employees and unions, including alleging breaches of general protections and unfair dismissal provisions of the Fair Work Act.
Clients in the higher education, finance, mining, and health industries | Advising on compliance with awards and enterprise agreements, including liaising with the Fair Work Ombudsman.