Rebecca Shelley

Partner

Qualifications: LLB, BSc, GradDipLegalPrac

Practices

Rebecca has extensive experience in advising the Commonwealth in relation to workers’ compensation matters. She is fully cognisant of the responsibilities of the Commonwealth in adhering to the Model Litigant Policy and the unique challenges that this can bring. In a previous role Rebecca successfully held the position of National Client Service Manager for Comcare, which, as a significant client, brought enormous responsibility from a business perspective.

Rebecca is focussed on delivering high-quality outcomes for her clients. She is familiar with all aspects of the claim process and has experience in appearing in the ACT Magistrates Court, ACT Supreme Court, Federal Court of Australia and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Rebecca regularly represents clients in informal settlement conferences and conciliation conferences/mediations.

Rebecca has completed secondments with Comcare in its Asbestos Litigation Team which required skills in dealing with fast-paced litigation, providing instructions, analysing advice and providing legal opinions to senior management. Rebecca has also undertaken a secondment in the Appeals section of Comcare relating to Federal Court matters which required extensive liaison with Counsel and being involved in robust discussions regarding the likelihood of success on appeal of various matters. As a result of undertaking Comcare work for many years, Rebecca has also become very familiar with the machinations of the public sector, the requirements of the APS Code of Conduct and the employment issues which can arise as a result of the workings of an Enterprise Agreement.

Rebecca has extensive experience in supervising and mentoring junior members of staff and works closely with her team in a collaborative manner. The nature of the work Rebecca undertakes necessarily requires a fast turnaround and Rebecca has been acknowledged by clients regarding her ability to meet tight deadlines.

Experience

  • Successfully defending Comcare’s interests in a claim, which attracted media attention, by an employee who had been bullied and harassed by his supervisor. This matter involved managing multiple witnesses, legal representatives from the agency and a difficult legal representative for the Applicant.
  • Advising in a matter involving a high-profile Applicant including  interviewing senior management and executive level academics and drafting witness statements. The personalities involved required careful management. Rebecca was also responsible for providing advice in the matter which went to senior levels of Comcare management given the sensitivities the matter attracted

Awards and recognition

Best Lawyers in Australia 2021-2024
Recognised – Insurance Law
Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession 2022-2023
Leading Workers Compensation Lawyers – Defendant (ACT)
Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession 2020-2021
Leading Professional Indemnity Lawyers – Defendant (Australian Capital Territory); Leading Workers Compensation Lawyers – Defendant (Australian Capital Territory)