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John Rodney

John Rodney is a special counsel in the firm's Labour, Employment, and Workplace Safety practice.  He has extensive experience in employment and work health and safety law and commercial litigation. He has been involved in a number of significant work health and safety prosecutions and has extensive experience and exposure within the coal mining, metalliferous and extractive industries and underground construction industry. John has gained significant experience through his involvement in numerous investigations by the regulatory authorities, inquiries and coronial inquests.

He is one of the few lawyers who has acted as an external prosecutor for the WorkCover Authority and was seconded from private practice to the WorkCover Authority as principal solicitor. John has appeared in both state and federal jurisdictions in employment matters. Through his coal industry service and in particular with the Coal Industry Tribunal and Australian Industrial Relations Commission (Fair Work Australia), he was uniquely placed to advise on industrial matters to government, and become a trusted advisor to industry stakeholders. His extensive experience and knowledge allows him to not only deal with legal issues but also provide advice which offers practical solutions for his clients.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, John worked within the coal mining industry, including underground as a coal miner.

  • Listed in the Best Lawyers in Australia™ 
    • Labour and Employment Law, 2016-2023
    •  Occupational Health and Safety Law, 2016-2024 
  • Nominated for the Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award, 1982
  • Central Coast of NSW Safety Group member and presenter 
  • Australian Labour Lawyers' Association member

John frequently presents to directors, officers, senior managers of targeted industries and TAFE students on employment, industrial relations and work, health and safety issues. John, at the request of a global client, presented on work, health and safety laws in Finland.

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