Mark (BA LLB Hons, University of Melbourne) leads the specialist employment law team at MDC Legal. He has over 20 years practice, mainly in industrial, workplace and employment law. He previously worked at a commercial litigation firm, then as a senior associate of a national firm, and as Principal Solicitor of the Employment Law Centre. Mark is a well-regarded practitioner in workplace relations law, named as a “leading lawyer” in Doyle’s Guide 2014, 2015, 2016, and “market leader” in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. In addition to providing strategic and front end advice and implementing employment contracts, policies and procedures, Mark has conducted litigation and acted as counsel in several jurisdictions on “both sides of the fence” in a wide variety of matters, including injunctions and restraint of trade matters, protected industrial action, contractual claims, general protections and unfair dismissal claims, and bullying and discrimination claims.

Nikita (BA LLB, Murdoch University) is Special Counsel at MDC Legal, with over 12 years’ experience in workplace and employment law. She is currently recognised in Doyle’s Guide to the Legal Profession as the sole Preeminent employment lawyer (employee representation) behind Market Leader and MDC Legal Director, Mark Cox. Previously, Nikita was recognised as a recommended employment lawyer in Doyle’s Guide in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Nikita has worked with national and mid-tier law firms prior to joining MDC Legal and also has experience as a volunteer solicitor with community legal centres. Nikita has previously sat on various not-for-profit committees, including Women Lawyers of Western Australia Inc. and is regularly invited to speak at both legal and human resources conferences in the area of employment law. Nikita has advocacy and negotiation experience in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts of Western Australia, in the Fair Work Commission and the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission and in the Western Australian Equal Opportunity Commission. She advises employees and employers on all aspects of State and Federal workplace laws, including unfair dismissals and general protections matters, contractual and statutory rights and obligations, the drafting and interpretation of employment contracts, restructures, performance management and termination and discrimination. Nikita also works with Human Resources practitioners and business owners in the development of workplace relations strategies, policies and procedures.

Kate (LLB, Murdoch University) is Special Counsel at MDC Legal.  Kate has 20 years’ experience in workplace and industrial relations, employment law and workplace health and safety law. Kate worked as in house legal counsel and in private practice at both top-tier and mid-tier law firms prior to joining MDC Legal.  Kate is an experienced advocate having represented clients in the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia, State Administrative Tribunal, Fair Work Commission,  Australian Human Rights Commission, and in the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.  Kate has also represented both employers and employees in WorkSafe Investigations.  She advises employers on all aspects of State and Federal workplace laws, including unfair dismissals and general protections matters, contractual and statutory rights and obligations, the drafting and interpretation of employment contracts, restructures, performance management, union disputes, enterprise bargaining and all aspects of workplace health and safety.

As Office Manager, Tina provides high end executive support to the Director, Special Counsel, Senior Associates and Lawyers, as well as managing the firm’s Administration Team and the day to day operations of the office. Tina also provides paralegal assistance, including preparing court files and briefs to counsel, lodging court documents and assisting with client file management. Tina maintains all finance related functions, including trust account and records management and also oversees the firm’s marketing, business development and events management. Tina has over a decade’s experience working in diverse finance management and accounting roles across various industries. Tina has also completed a Bachelor of Education and has formerly worked as a teacher in the Early Childhood industry.

Andrea McNamara (BA LLB, University of Western Australia) is a Senior Associate at MDC Legal. Andrea has been admitted to practice for over 12 years and has extensive experience in employment law. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Andrea has previously been the principal of her own legal practice specialising in all aspects of employment law and workplace relations. Andrea has also worked for a major trade union as an industrial officer, in private legal practice, for a leading workplace relations specialist firm, and within the government sector. Andrea represents clients in both state and federal industrial tribunals and courts, and has a commercial and pragmatic approach to complex issues.

Monica (BCom, Curtin University, LLB, Murdoch University) is a Lawyer at MDC Legal. Monica won the Law Society’s Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award in 2022. Monica has previous experience as a human resources consultant and as an industrial relations consultant advising employers on all aspects of employment relations. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Monica worked at a boutique workplace and commercial law firm in Melbourne and then as part of the litigation team in a Perth law firm. Monica has experience advising and advocating for both employees and employers and enjoys working with clients to achieve pragmatic outcomes.

Lucy Wardle (BA, JD, University of Western Australia) is a Lawyer at MDC Legal. Lucy graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Australia in 2020 and completed her Practical Legal Training with the Piddington Society whilst working as a Law Graduate at MDC Legal. Lucy has assisted with preparing applications and responses for unfair dismissal and general protections claims, conducted legal research, and drafted advice to clients, deeds of settlement and letters to other parties. Prior to joining MDC Legal as a law clerk in February 2020 Lucy volunteered in a variety of university and community groups, including Legal Aid WA and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Thilini Kotuwegoda (BCom, JD, University of Western Australia) is a Lawyer at MDC Legal. Thilini graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Australia in 2021 and completed her Practical Legal Training with the College of Law in 2022. Thilini conducts legal research and drafts court documents, advice to clients and correspondence with courts, tribunals and other parties. She has also assisted in preparing unfair dismissal and general protections claims and responses, and deeds of settlement. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Thilini volunteered at several organisations, including Circle Green Community Legal Centre, where she assisted the Employment Law team and Gosnells Community Legal Centre, assisting the Domestic Violence team.

Nicholas Morrison (BSc, Murdoch University and JD, University of Western Australia) is a Lawyer at MDC Legal. Nicholas graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Australia in 2022 and completed his Practical Legal Training with the College of Law in 2023. Nicholas conducts legal research and drafts court documents, advice to clients and correspondence with courts, tribunals and other parties. He has also assisted in preparing unfair dismissal and general protections claims and responses, and deeds of settlement. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Nicholas clerked at Dwyer Durack and Gilchrist Connell as well as volunteering at the Mental Health Law Centre and at the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees, and Detainees.

Grace Pham (BA, University of Western Australia) is a final year Juris Doctor student at the University of Western Australia. She is currently a Legal Administrative Assistant/Paralegal at MDC Legal and will be joining the firm as a Law Graduate in 2024. Grace conducts legal research, drafting and assists with client engagement. Grace has completed clerkships and worked in a paralegal capacity in private practice, including with a global law firm within its employment team.

Chelsea Woodford (BA, GradDipEd, University of Western Australia) is a Juris Doctor student in her penultimate year at the University of Western Australia. She is currently a Legal Administrative Assistant/Paralegal at MDC Legal. Chelsea performs legal research, drafts court documents and correspondence, and assists with client engagement. Chelsea completed a Graduate Diploma of Education and formerly worked as a teacher and Head of Department for Humanities in the Education Industry.

Joanne is part of MDC Legal’s legal support team. With great attention to detail, Joanne maintains the firm’s client files and archive systems with exceptional efficiency. Joanne has also assisted with courts files and large-scale document management for injunctions.