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Michaela Moloney

Michaela Moloney is a partner in the firm's Labour, Employment and Workplace Safety practice, providing advice and supporting employers in all aspects of employment, industrial, and discrimination law. She has significant experience supporting government organisations and providing advice in the health and sporting industries.

In sensitive and high risk matters, Michaela is known as being a trusted advisor to her clients' C-suite, board and senior management and supports organisations to manage both internal and external stakeholders. She conducts complex workplace investigations, including whistleblower complaints, particularly where allegations are levelled at members of senior management.

Michaela prides herself on working with clients to deliver proactive, straight talking practical solutions that align with an organisation's objectives and values. She works with clients to understand their requirements and seek an early resolution of workplace issues, whether they be individual grievances or collective disputes.

Where litigated claims cannot be avoided, Michaela has significant litigation experience and has successfully defended a number of large Australian employers in claims including unfair dismissal, discrimination, industrial disputes, general protections and breach of contract in the state and federal courts.

As a mediator, Michaela is able to facilitate mediations in all areas of employment and industrial law including bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment. She is also regularly invited to present training across the scope of her employment, safety, industrial relations and discrimination law background.

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia™
    • 'Lawyer of the Year' for Employee Benefits Law, 2022
    • Employee Benefits Law, 2021-2023, 2025
    • Occupational Health and Safety Law, 2020-2023, 2025
    • Labour and Employment Law, 2018-2023, 2025
  • Recognised by Chambers Asia-Pacific for Employment: Victoria in Australia, 2022-2025
  • Recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer for Labour and Employment in Australia, 2020-2024
  • Recognised by Australasian Lawyer as a Leading Female Lawyer in Australia - Elite Woman, 2023
  • Listed by Lawyers Weekly as a finalist in the Partner of the Year Awards for Employment in Australia, 2023
  • Recognised by International Employment Lawyer as a Woman Leader in Australia, 2022
  • Listed by Australasian Lawyer as an Elite Woman, 2021 
  • Recognised as a finalist in the Partner of the Year Awards for Workplace Relations / Employment in Australia by Lawyers Weekly, 2020-2021
  • Listed by Doyle's Guide as an Employment Lawyer for Employer Representation in Australia, 2019
  • Employment and Industrial Law Committee of the Workplace Relations Section of the Law Institute of Victoria member
  • Australian Human Resources Institute member
  • Board Member, Women's Information Referral Exchange
  • 22 May 2024, "Sexual Harassment in Law Practices", Risk on Air (Youtube.com)
  • 20 March 2024, "Workplace Law Summit: How Not to Conduct Workplace Investigations", Legalwise Seminars
  • 17 May 2023, “Law Week 2023: Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave Introduced - A Step in the Right Direction but More Needs to be Done,” Victorian Women Lawyers
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