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.

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.

Alison (BEc UWA, LLB Murdoch University, LLM Birkbeck College, University of London) is a Consultant Lawyer at MCD Legal. Alison is an experienced employment lawyer who has worked extensively with senior executives, employees, employers and trade unions. During a long period in the UK, Alison has previously been a partner in a national firm, and subsequently a founding partner in a boutique firm, both of which specialised in employment and discrimination law. Since returning to Australia she has worked in both the WA State and Federal systems, advising clients on dismissals, general protections and discrimination and helping them to negotiate good results. She enjoys working with HR departments to support the resolution of issues at an early stage. Alison is also a qualified investigator.

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.

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.

Brandon Yip (BComm, JD, University of Western Australia) is a Lawyer at MDC Legal. Brandon graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Australia in mid-2023 before completing his Practical Legal Training with the College of Law in December 2023. Brandon advises on all aspects of employment law, including unfair dismissals, workplace bullying, discrimination and investigations, award coverage and interpretation, directors’ duties and work health and safety. Brandon is also experienced in negotiating mutually agreed resolutions to employment related matters and preparing corresponding deeds of settlement. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Brandon worked in accounting, auditing, taxation, marketing, governance and most recently at a boutique commercial employment law firm. Brandon can converse in Mandarin and Cantonese and has a provisional membership with CA ANZ.

Paul Hyun (LLB and BCOM, Curtin University) is a lawyer at MDC Legal. Paul graduated with a Bachelor of Law from Curtin University in 2022 and completed his Practical Legal Training with Curtin University through its Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Paul advises on all aspects of employment law and has experience in assisting with conducting workplace investigations, preparing and responding to unfair dismissal and general protections claims, advising clients on the resolution of disputes and drafting court documents, employment contracts and policies, deed and other legal documents. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Paul has worked at private law firms specialising in workplace law. Paul comes from a Korean background and is also fluent in the language.

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.

Sophie is part of MDC Legal’s legal support team. With a background in legal editing (almost 15 years with Thomson Reuters), she provides secretarial and paralegal assistance, including document drafting and management, preparing court files and briefs to counsel, fielding new enquiries, note-taking and client file management. Sophie originally hails from New Zealand, where she completed an LLB and a BA majoring in Modern Languages at Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka.