Current practice
Darren is the Practice Area Leader of the Employee Relations team in Sydney, and has been a partner since 2001. He practises in all areas of employment and workplace relations law. Darren’s practice focuses on assisting clients to increase productivity through the development of effective human resources strategies and practices.
Darren is widely regarded by clients and peers as a leading practitioner in the area, and is recognised as such in Chambers Global, Asia Pacific Legal 500, PLC Which Lawyer? and the Best Lawyers International list.
Darren has particular expertise in the following areas:
- senior executive contracts, remuneration and disputes
- strategic workplace bargaining and workplace change advice
- class action employment related litigation
- workplace relations litigation in the Federal Court of Australia
- protecting intellectual and human capital, including through restraint of trade and breach of confidence litigation
- assisting clients to develop innovative employee retention and reward strategies
- employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and outsourcing arrangements
- occupational health and safety compliance, investigations and litigation, and
- employment aspects of the sporting industry.
Darren has represented clients in a number of landmark cases, including the successful defence of a A$100 million class action brought against a major bank.
Darren’s approach is to work closely with clients so as to understand their key business drivers, and to provide practical and solutions focussed advice that is targeted at these core business needs.
Experience
Darren has advised, and continues to advise, major companies in a range of industries including banking and financial services, retail, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, oil, transport and professional services. He has assisted clients including Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Suncorp Metway, JP Morgan, QANTAS, Merck Sharp & Dohme, National Australia Bank and Michael Page International.
Professional background
Darren holds a combined Bachelor of Arts and Law (Hons) degree from the University of Sydney. He is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association.
