Our Speakers

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  Laura Sowden

Laura specialises in employment, discrimination and work health and safety and represents clients across a range of litigated and advice matters. She also advises insurers regarding employment and other claims under management liability policies.

Laura has comprehensive experience in this area of law, having previously held roles within the private legal sector, in-house counsel in the corporate sector plus a position with the Federal Court of Australia. This allows her to bring a deep understanding of both the core and ancillary issues involved in claims and has advised employers and employees on a wide range of employment matters.

Current work includes regularly representing employers in unfair dismissal, general protections and stop bullying applications before the Fair Work Commission, Federal Circuit Court and Federal Court of Australia, in addition to representing respondents on discrimination and harassment claims before the Australian Human Rights Commission, the equivalent state commissions and relevant courts and tribunals. Laura also defends work health and safety prosecutions and advises businesses subject to investigatory proceedings.

Laura’s sound practical experience and knowledge of employment law and management liability policies means she is well equipped to handle employee claims, particularly those claims which involve various legal issues.