Gerard Phillips | Partner

As the Head of Middletons’ Workplace Relations Group Gerard acts for a broad range of clients predominantly in high profile industries such as the oil industry, construction and major infrastructure projects. He has experience acting on behalf of both employees and employers in employment law generally and in recent years has become well known for his work in the area of employment law relating to senior executives.

Gerard has particular expertise in:

• all areas of employment & industrial law including both collective and individual employment relation
• defending and prosecuting matters under the Occupational Health & Safety Act 1983 and 2000 including prosecuting a number of significant cases on behalf of the WorkCover Authority, including the landmark section 18 case of Inspector Mulder v Arbor Products International (Australia) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWIRComm 50 (15 May 2001), Inspector Simpson v CNH Australia Pty Limited and Inspector Campbell v Hitchcock
• acted in unfair contract claims under s.106 of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 and its predecessors (s.275 Industrial Relations Act 1991 and s.88F Industrial Arbitration Act 1940)
• advising in discrimination and harassment matters, including acting for the successful Defendant in Gardiner v WorkCover NSW, a high profile case in the area of carer’s responsibilities.
• criminal law, Commissions of Inquiry (ICAC, Royal Commissions and Coronial Inquests)

In 2003 Gerard was listed in the publication Legal Who's Who in Australia (a publication which highlights the major players in each speciality of the law as nominated by one's peers including partners, consultants and clients Australia wide) as a leading practitioner in his field.

Gerard frequently lectures to lawyers and senior management personnel on employment/industrial relations and occupational health and safety issues.

Professional Background

Gerard obtained his Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Sydney in 1986 and his Master of Laws Degree from the University of Sydney in 1995, after having completed study for the Masters at both the Universities of Sydney and London. Gerard practiced in employment and industrial law in 1992 - 1993 as a solicitor in the United Kingdom.

He was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1987, as a solicitor of the High Court of Australia in 1988, as a solicitor of the High Court of England and Wales in 1992 and as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1999.