Employment lawyers Perth

Providing trusted and efficient employment law
and workplace solutions

Doyles’ Guide to the Legal

Profession since 2014

Market Leader

Since 2017

First Tier Law Firm

Since 2021

Law Society Award Winner

Emerging Lawyer of 2022

Best Lawyers

2025

Our services

Our employment law services

 

HR Advice & Support

 

Expert HR advice for employers to help you navigate complex workplace issues, ensuring compliance, effective management, and a positive workplace culture for your business.

Termination of Employment

 

With a high degree of success for our clients, we provide guidance and representation in termination and unfair dismissal cases, protecting your rights and ensuring fair and compliant processes.

General protection

 

General protections under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) prohibit an employer taking adverse action against an employee or potential employee because they have or exercise a workplace right. These claims are not limited to employees under the high-income threshold. Successful claimants can obtain orders for compensation for economic and non-economic loss, such as for hurt humiliation and distress, and also civil penalties imposed on the corporate entity of the employer and against individuals involved in the breach. There are similar protections under the Industrial Relations Act 1979 (WA) for State employees (employees of the WA government or sole traders or unincorporated trusts).

Bullying, Harassment & Discrimination

 

Legal support in addressing workplace discrimination and bullying, helping employers maintain a fair, respectful, and legally compliant work environment.

 

Conducting investigations; Representation in investigations; Representation in litigation in Fair Work Commission, Human Rights Commission, Equal Opportunity Commission WA, Statement Administrative Tribunal; Policies & Procedures; Workplace training on bullying, discrimination and harassment.

Business Restructures & Redundancies

 

Strategic advice on managing business restructures and redundancies, ensuring compliance with legal requirements while mitigating risks.

NES/MCE, Award and Payroll Compliance

 

It is important that employers comply with their obligations to employees under various industrial relations laws. Breaches can give rise to claims by employees and unions or investigation and prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman. There can be costly litigation and hefty fines for breaches.

With the recent introduction of wage theft laws, there can be criminal sanctions for breaches, including fines and imprisonment.

Performance Management, Discipline, Termination of Employment

 

We provide experienced guidance on performance management and misconduct investigations to ensure fair, compliant, and effective processes that protect your business.

 

Managing poor performance and disciplinary processes; Redundancy consultancy and managing risk in terminations; Unfair dismissal claims and litigation in State and Federal Commissions; Settlement of claims.

Directors’ Duties, Remuneration and Corporations Act

 

Providing advice to boards and directors on Directors’ Duties; Director’s remuneration, LTIP/STIP; Corporations Act, ASX Listing Rules; and Whistleblowing.

Contract Policies & Procedures

 

Good contracts and workplace policies and procedures are essential business infrastructure to ensure productivity, compliance with legal obligations and good workplace culture. If you don’t have a written employment contract with your employees, the law will assume an unwritten contract with terms implied by the common law and industrial legislation and awards. Employment contracts give your business control of the employment relationship and provide a tool to protect your confidential information and other legitimate interests. We also provide contracts for independent contractors and services and facilities agreements, for example, for health providers. Outside of your contracts, it is important to have policies and procedures to meet your statutory obligations with respect to workplace health and safety and removing discrimination and harassment from the workplace. To manage the range of employment law issues, including recruitment and engagement, performance management, appropriate workplace conduct and culture, investigations, discipline, terminations, redundancies and employee claims.

 

Workplace Health and Safety

 

Over recent years, national workplace health and safety laws have extended the reach of obligations on PCBUs, managers and all employees, including with respect to removal of psychosocial hazards. National regulatory authorities, like NOPSEMA and State authorities like WorkSafe have extensive powers of investigation and prosecution. It is important to have in place policies and procedures to minimise and respond to risks.

 

Restraints of Trade

 

We are experts at crafting and enforcing restraint of trade clauses to protect your business’s confidential information, intellectual property, and client relationships.

Dispute Resolution
& Advocacy

 

We provide effective dispute resolution and advocacy services to resolve workplace conflicts efficiently and protect your business’s interests.

Industrial Relations

 

Expert advice on industrial relations, helping you navigate complex issues and maintain positive employee relations in compliance with the law.

Training & Compliance

 

Customised training and compliance programs to equip your team with the knowledge needed to meet legal obligations and maintain best practices.

Doing Business in Australia

 

Comprehensive legal support for foreign businesses entering the Australian market, ensuring compliance with local laws and successful operations.

why choose us

Our difference

No surprise billing

At MDC Legal, we prioritise transparency in our billing, with upfront fee estimates, work in progress updates and accountability in itemisation of work charged. Flexible fixed-fee services can be tailored to meet your needs.

Safeguard your interests

Your interests are paramount. We focus on compliance and business protection with robust HR and workplace solutions. While we advocate for efficient dispute resolution and settlement, our battle-ready lawyers are prepared to advance your interests in court when necessary.

Expert compliance guidance

Breaches of employment law can result in costly claims and fines. We specialise in navigating the complexities of the Fair Work Act, state legislation, and industrial awards and agreements. Ensure compliance, enhance workplace practices, and receive the guidance to keep your business on track.

Personalised client engagement

We provide unique solutions. Each client receives personalised attention from our team, ensuring legal strategies are perfectly aligned with individual business goals and challenges.

Proactive risk management

We anticipate potential legal issues and manage them proactively to prevent disruptions and secure your business’s future.

Access to Perth’s best employment lawyers

Direct engagement with our senior lawyers ensures you benefit from top-tier legal expertise at every interaction.

Communication every step of the way

Informed communication is essential. Expect continuous updates and straightforward communication from your dedicated legal team.

Long-term partnership focus

Each client receives personalised attention from our team, ensuring legal strategies are perfectly aligned with individual business goals and challenges.

Employment law specialists

The unique Australian employment law specialists

MDC Legal provides efficient and effective high quality legal services to deliver specialist employment law solutions. We offer expert advice and representation to businesses, executives and senior employees across the range of Employment Law, HR/people and culture and workplace relations. 

about us

Based in Perth, MDC Legal’s team of unique and leading employment lawyers offers a comprehensive range of services across the full spectrum of employment, HR, and workplace laws in WA, nationally, and abroad. We provide vital legal resources, support, and representation to both businesses and employees.

 

Our team comprises senior employment lawyers with diverse professional backgrounds, enabling us to deliver faster, smarter, and cost-effective solutions tailored to your employment law needs. Our expertise spans handling terminations, unfair and wrongful dismissals, adverse actions and general protections, discrimination, bullying, restraints of trade, drafting employment contracts, enhancing workplace culture, and providing human resources advice and support. Additionally, we specialise in training and compliance, performance management, workplace investigations, business restructures and redundancies, due diligence, dispute resolution, industrial relations, litigation, and advocacy.

 

Our ability to understand and represent both sides of employment disputes sets us apart. This unique perspective, combined with our diverse expertise, enables us to provide strategic and insightful workplace and employment law solutions to multitudes of clients and industries, including large businesses, SMEs, start-ups, senior executives, unions, and councils. MDC Legal is recognised for excellence, Doyle’s Law Guide 2019 ranks us as the ‘Leading Employment Law Firm,’ with Mark Cox as the ‘Market Leader in Employment Lawyers’ and Nikita Barsby as a ‘Recommended Employment Lawyer’.

our capabilities

Who we help

Expert legal advice and services to a diverse clientele. Personalised representation for both sides of employment disputes.

Businesses of all sizes

Getting compliance and culture right is essential to the success of any business. From small startups to large enterprises, we tailor our legal solutions to meet your unique challenges and business objectives.

Executives and senior employees

Employment is often foundational to our wellbeing as individuals. We offer strategic guidance for executives and senior employees. Navigate employment contracts, optimise entitlements, and resolve disputes effectively.

Organisations

From not-for-profits to industry-level organisations, we provide comprehensive support on employment law, HR policies, and workplace safety.

Our commitment is to ensure you receive personalised attention, expert advice, and tailored solutions designed to protect your interests and advance your objectives. Whether you’re seeking to enhance workplace practices, ensure compliance with evolving legislation, or resolve complex disputes, MDC Legal is your trusted partner in navigating the intricacies of employment law.

Our packages

What you need to know about employment law

The relationship between employer and employee is subject to various evolving laws and is the key to the success of any business.


Employment law encompasses a range of common law, legislation and industrial instruments (like awards and enterprise agreements) across state and federal lines. Employment law includes industrial or labour law and workplace law, human resources or people and culture management, all of which is a complex and ever-changing area of law.


There is a lot to manage and keep on top of, including recruitment, inductions and training, employment contracts, record keeping, policies and procedures, compliance with industrial instruments and laws, bullying and discrimination, performance management and terminations.

5 star reviews

Testimonials

You are in safe, capable hands

Most people when they engage the services of a solicitor have to do so because of an unpleasant/ongoing legal matter that needs sound, solid advice and an equitable resolution that won’t resurface in the future. MDC Legal went above and beyond my expectations. Not only did they keep me up to date with regular informed communications, but they also advised me as to the best course of action needed to achieve a favourable outcome for myself with the least amount of stress possible. Most legal matters do require some investment, but it is money well spent with MDC Legal. Keep in mind that if you want the best, then you have to pay for it- if you pay peanuts, then you will get monkeys!! Joanna Knoth and Noella Silby are a class act. Not only are they a credit to MDC Legal, but they are a positive representation of the legal profession and the community overall. You are in safe, capable hands with MDC Legal and I would not hesitate to recommend them or to utilise their services should a legal matter arise in the future.

Angela Matija Babic

Outstanding professional team

Excellent service from an outstanding professional team. MDC Legal took the initiative, worked hard, were honest, spoke from a position of expertise which gave them the opportunity to challenge lesser expertise with great confidence. We were treated with respect and given very honest feedback every step of the way. We have left our meetings with Mark Cox feeling humbled by his support and respectful of his integrity and the huge energy he has for his work. Most of all we felt supported.
Amanda Sturrock

Dealt with my case compassionately

Mark and Jessie from MDC Legal were incredibly professional and dealt with my case compassionately. I had a great result and I thank the whole team for everything that they did. Five stars from me!

Crystal Brown

Sound legal advice

MDC legal has assisted myself and my firm in the past with sound legal advice and professional services which has resulted in very positive outcomes, would highly recommend them for any workplace legal issue.

Michael Bellman

Both genuine and realistic

I can confidently recommend their services and have found MDC and their legal team to be professional and considerate. The advice I received was both genuine and realistic resulting in a favourable outcome for myself. Thank you MDC.

Sean Fraser

Truly a level beyond in professionalism

What an amazingly talented team I had through my recent trial. Truly a level beyond in professionalism, respect for the law and demonstrated themselves to be a class above the plaintiff in the Supreme court. They went well beyond my expectations, achieving a phenomenal outcome. Superb communication throughout the whole process, with outstanding advice and direction. I could not recommend anyone better than this team for my legal representation. Thank you again so much.

Andrew Beek

Highly recommend them as a legal firm

MDC legal are a highly professional and ethical legal firm. I recently sought their advice and representation in an employment related matter, and engaged the services of Joanna Knoth. MDC Legal and Joanna responded quickly to my initial enquiries and throughout out period of interaction, and were extremely knowledgeable in workplace legislation. Costs were well explained upfront and as my case proceeded so there were no ‘surprises’. They communicated well at all times, explained required processes effectively and ultimately achieved a positive outcome for me as their client. I would highly recommend them as a legal firm and would engage their services again if I had further need for legal advice.

Sarah M

Excellent advice and legal clout

I had a rather difficult legal issue compounded by the fact that a big established law firm was throwing their “family” weight behind the matter. One letter, with excellent advice and legal clout, from MDC Legal was all it took for this matter to be very favourably resolved. Four years down the line and this matter has never been an issue again. Well done MDC Legal!

John Tidy

They showed great empathy

Joanna and the team at MDC Legal helped me through one of the most difficult periods of my working career to date. They were professional, efficient and effective in helping me achieve a great outcome. They showed great empathy and understanding of my workplace case and I would recommend them to anyone.

Quyen Truong

Impressed by the depth of assistance

I recommend MDC legal to anyone seeking prompt professional advice and assistance with an employment law matter. I have personally been assisted by Mr Mark Cox and have also worked with some of his legal staff and have been really impressed by the depth of assistance and commitment to achieving positive results. If you have an employment matter and want the best value for money in the long run for your hard earned dollars, contact MDC legal and give yourself the best chance possible.

Liz Carbone

Their communication is excellent

I used MDC Legal upon another lawyer’s recommendation, for an employment contract for my business. Mark, Jessie and Jo are a great team. Their communication is excellent so I knew what stage the project was at every step of the way. Costs are explicitly outlined so there is complete financial transparency. Very happy with the end contract and their services. Will be using them again for further employment law needs for my business.

Sherry Wong

Honest, informative, empathic

Mark Cox and the team at MDC Legal assisted me through one of the most difficult periods in my professional career. They were honest, informative, empathic and very experienced. I could not have achieved the positive outcome I did without them. I highly recommend MDC Legal.

Brian Peddie

Considered, professional advice and assistance

As a not-for-profit community legal centre, the Mental Health Law Center has appreciated the considered, professional advice and assistance provided by Mark Cox and his team at MDC Legal. Their advice, not only on matters of employment law but also on applying the law to complex employment situations was communicated clearly and without jargon. The advice they provided was relevant, up-to-date and useful in achieving a positive outcome. The Employee Handbook and Management Guides provided by MDC Legal are extremely useful, not only in preventing employment situations from arising but also in providing quick guidelines to assist in the day to day managing and creating a positive work environment for staff members. Highly recommend.

TAL MHLC

Most impressive aspect however, was their honesty

I contacted MDC Legal following a recommendation and I am glad that I did. My initial email was answered 30 minutes later, in detail. All subsequent correspondence was quick, professional and to the point. There was transparency throughout. The most impressive aspect of MDC Legal for me however, was their honesty. This is a virtue fast disappearing in today’s world. Thank you MDC Legal.

Thomas Zimmermann

Notable decisions

VIEW ALL NOTABLE DECISIONS
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION
CITATION : 2016 WAIRC 00731
CORAM : SENIOR COMMISSIONER S J KENNER
HEARD : FRIDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2016, THURSDAY, 3 MARCH 2016, FRIDAY, 1 APRIL 2016
DELIVERED: TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST 2016
FILE NO. : B 93 OF 2015
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL MAGISTRATES COURT
CITATION : 2016 WAIRC 00210
CORAM : INDUSTRIAL MAGISTRATE G. CICCHINI
HEARD : WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH 2016
DELIVERED : WEDNESDAY, 13 APRIL 2016
FILE NO. : M 117 OF 2015
SUPREME COURT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA IN CHAMBERS
CITATION : BEND-TECH GROUP (A FIRM) -v- BEEK [2015] WASC 491 (S)
CORAM : PRITCHARD J
HEARD : 5 APRIL 2015
DELIVERED : 11 APRIL 2016
FILE NO. : CIV 2819 of 2015
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