Stephen Woodbury

Ashurst Perkins Coie's Co-Global Practice Head for Employment, Stephen advises a broad range of first tier international and domestic clients on strategic and complex industrial and employment related matters including advisory, regulatory, investigation and litigation work.

Stephen is ranked as a leading practitioner in Employment law in Chambers, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers Australia. He works with clients in a range of industries, including the retail, transport, higher education, resources, food, manufacturing and technology industries.

His experience working with clients to achieve commercial outcomes in employment-related matters includes:

• All aspects of collective bargaining and workplace relations, including negotiations with unions, management of industrial action, as well as Federal Court, Fair Work Commission and other court and tribunal litigation.
• Workplace investigations and risk management.
• Regulatory and compliance matters, including related class actions and inquiries and Royal Commissions.
• Managing executive employment issues (including post-employment restraint matters).
• Corporate restructuring, sale and outsourcing programs.
• Disciplinary proceedings, dealing with ill and injured employees and claims of discrimination, breach of contract or independent contractor arrangements, adverse action, unfair and unlawful dismissal. 

Stephen appears as an advocate in employment tribunals and courts and speaks regularly at seminars and conference on topics related to employment and industrial relations law.