Commercial law firm Cowell Clarke has bolstered its employment law offering in Sydney with three new appointments to the Pitt Street office.
The appointments include a Director, Associate Director and Associate – all joining Cowell Clarke from Piper Alderman Sydney.
Joe Murphy has been appointed as a Director, and has 23 years’ legal experience, specialising in workplace relations.
Joe has advised on matters across Australian tribunals and courts, including the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Courts of Australia as well as having represented clients in the Independent Commission Against Corruption and Coroner’s inquests.
His area of expertise includes due diligence, restructuring, sexual harassment, unfair dismissals, discrimination claim, industrial disputes, workers compensation claims, employee fraud and defence of underpayment claims. This has seen Joe work across a range of industries and sectors including IT & SaaS, retail, hospitality, transport, manufacturing, construction, social & community services, health and financial services.
Zoe McQuillan has been appointed as an Associate Director.
In her 20-year career to date, Zoe has worked with small businesses and multinational companies across a variety of industries as well as for and with employer associations including the NSW Business Chamber (now Business NSW) and ClubsNSW.
Her areas of expertise include post-employment restraint disputes, executive retrenchments, workplace investigations, business restructuring, award reviews and interpretation, contract and policy drafting, disputes, enterprise bargaining, privacy and safety matters.
Chinthana Malalasekera joins Cowell Clarke’s Sydney office as an Associate.
Over the past seven years, Chinthana worked in the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office before moving across to private practice and specialising in employment law at several Sydney-based law firms.
“We continue to build our Sydney legal offering by appointing high performers and specialists in their fields,” Cowell Clarke Managing Director Rob Comazzetto said.
“Businesses and organisations face an increasingly complex workplace and employment environment. With these new appointments, Cowell Clarke is strengthening its expertise and resources to provide our clients with access to experienced and recognised leaders in this high demand field.
“We welcome Joe, Zoe and Chinthana to our expanding Sydney team.”
Mr Murphy said Cowell Clarke demonstrated a rare commitment to its people and clients.
“Cowell Clarke stands as a centre of excellence in the legal industry and its focus on making the lives of its people and clients easier through technology is truly commendable, setting the stage for unparalleled success and growth for all stakeholders,” he said. “We look forward to becoming an integral part of a firm that not only values its team members but also prioritises the utmost satisfaction and success of its clients, with a view to the future.”
Cowell Clarke’s employment team recently announced the promotion of employment specialist, Cassie Burfoot, to Director. The group capability now comprises of three directors and six lawyers across Sydney and Adelaide, advising clients on a national scale.
These latest appointments follow Cowell Clarke’s acquisition last month of Sydney-based Andrews & Holm Lawyers, which added two new Directors and five lawyers to Cowell Clarke’s CBD office.
With offices in Adelaide and Sydney, Cowell Clarke provides legal services, commercial advice, legal digital solutions and support to clients in business and industry across Australia and internationally.
Media contact:
Bianca Buchhorn, Head of Business Development and Marketing.
Ph: 0447 425 167 or email: bbuchhorn@cowellclarke.com.au