Tamsin Lawrence

Tamsin is an experienced employment lawyer specialising in all areas of employment, industrial relations, and discrimination and leads the firm’s Melbourne office.
 
She advises and acts for employers across the full spectrum of employment and industrial relations matters. Her work includes employee claims (unfair dismissal, general protections, anti-bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment), disciplinary and performance management processes (including ill and injured workers and termination of employment), employment contracts and policies, redundancies, executive employment matters, the interpretation of industrial instruments, enterprise bargaining and bargaining disputes.
 
Tamsin has particular expertise in discrimination and sexual harassment matters, having been closely involved in representing employers in the development of the Respect@Work reforms. She regularly supports organisations to manage and navigate complex harassment, equal opportunity and discrimination issues, including complaint handling, workplace investigations, regulatory engagement and litigation. Tamsin also advises a wide range of clients on practical steps to meet their positive duty obligations under the Sex Discrimination Act, including the design and implementation of preventative frameworks, policies and response mechanisms.
 
She works with employers across a range of industries and sectors, including manufacturing, food and beverage manufacturing, construction, building materials, entertainment, utilities, transport and logistics. 
 
Tamsin brings a unique understanding of the broader workplace relations landscape, informed by her experience advising on employment and industrial relations law and policy at a national level, together with her longstanding involvement with industry bodies. This includes appearances before Senate Committee inquiries, the Council of Industrial Legislation and in the Annual Minimum Wage Review.

Her experience in policy development and industry wide advocacy provides clients with valuable insight into the formation, application and interpretation of employment law reforms, and supports the delivery of practical and commercially focused outcomes. This expertise has also seen Tamsin closely assist clients across a number of industries to prepare for and respond to the recent Secure Jobs, Better Pay and Closing Loopholes reform packages.
 
A sought-after speaker, Tamsin regularly presents at Industrial Relations and HR conferences and events. She also frequently delivers tailored training for boards, managers and employees on key compliance and risk areas, including sexual harassment and discrimination, performance management, and significant workplace and employment law developments.
 
Tamsin regularly appears in the Fair Work Commission, State and Federal Courts, and State and Federal anti-discrimination tribunals, and is a Nationally Accredited Mediator.