Declan has extensive experience guiding and advocating for clients in the public and private sectors across various aspects of employment law.
Declan has a strong focus on employee relations and litigation. He also provides advice on compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), including advice on the National Employment Standards and modern awards, as well as coverage, scope, and compliance with applicable enterprise agreements and modern awards.
His practice conducting workplace investigations, handling termination matters, managing misconduct and performance issues, and managing litigation and dispute resolution. Declan also advises on, and handles litigation in relation to, post-employment obligations, including restraint of trade and breach of confidentiality.
Declan is known for his strong rapport with colleagues and clients, his attention to detail, and his ability to provide pragmatic outcomes to complex workplace issues. Declan is trusted by clients, exemplified by the three secondments he has completed during his time at Hall & Wilcox.
Experience
- Represented one of Victoria’s key providers of general practitioner education and training programs in protracted and vexatious Federal Circuit Court proceedings. Provided ongoing advice with respect to liability, risks, and alternative methods of resolving the dispute, before ultimately instructing at a three-day hearing, and subsequently obtaining an indemnity costs order for costs incurred since the beginning of the proceeding.
- Advising and representing a Victorian public entity regarding underpayment and contravention of enterprise agreement claims brought by 31 employees. Assisted the public entity to quantify the extent of underpayments and negotiate settlements to avoid litigation.
- Advising and representing employers in response to unfair dismissal and general protections, including solicitor advocacy in dispute resolution processes and the drafting of terms of settlement.
- The key Australian contact for a Nasdaq listed company, providing advice on matters relating to compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), including advice on the National Employment Standards, modern awards, and regularly providing advice on the termination of employment including performance management, ill and injured employees, restructures, and redundancies.