Workplace Law

Director

Athena Koelmeyer is the Principal and Director of Workplace Law. Since its inception in 2003, Athena has worked at Workplace Law, becoming Principal in 2010. Under Athena’s direction, Workplace Law will continue to provide timely, relevant advice and assistance and promote its view that there is no substitute for advance planning and good preparation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors of Economics (Social Sciences) (1993)
• Bachelors of Laws (1996)
• Masters of Labour Law and Relations (2004)

Relevant Experience:

Athena was admitted to legal practice in February 1997 and is admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales and in all Federal Courts and Tribunals. Since 2000, Athena has practiced in the specialist area of workplace relations working with clients in the areas of employment law, workplace relations, discrimination and occupational health and safety.

Together with the other members of the Workplace Law team, Athena assists clients in defending OHS prosecutions, discrimination claims, unfair dismissal, unlawful termination and adverse action matters, as well as industrial disputes.  These matters arise in a variety of Courts and Tribunals and Athena has represented clients in the High Court, Federal Court, Federal Magistrate’s Court, Fair Work Australia, State Industrial Relations Commissions, District and Local Courts.

In terms of non-contentious work, Athena provides advice and guidance in relation to employment contract drafting, developments of policy and procedures, training, restructures and in the negotiation of enterprise agreements.

Practically, Athena can provide guidance and assistance to employers seeking to understand Modern Award obligations and the implications of the obligations imposed by those instruments.  Together with her clients, Athena can work through Award terms and conditions to produce terms and conditions of employment to meet the client’s needs.

With the rest of the Workplace Law team, Athena provides workplace training in areas such as occupational health and safety and anti-discrimination law for our clients.  Athena enjoys providing training for managers, in particular in relation to best practice performance management and discipline to provide managers with a better understanding of their obligations in these areas.

While she enjoys representing clients in litigated matters, Athena firmly believes that the risks of litigation and dispute can be managed by employers obtaining appropriate advice at the commencement of the employment or contractual relationship and developing appropriate terms and conditions to govern the relationship. The relationship Athena seeks to develop with all her clients also allows advice and assistance to be obtained during any employment or contractual relationship. In this regard, she is proud of the fact that she is able to assist clients appropriately manage complaints of discrimination, harassment and other grievances by ensuring compliance with legal and procedural fairness obligations at early stages and with a view to resolving matters early and avoiding litigation.