What’s making headlines?
Michael Byrnes discusses whether an employer can sack you over what you say anonymously on social media
A High Court case will decide whether an employer can sack you over what you say anonymously on social media. Public servant Michaela Banerji had worked for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection for seven years when she was fired in 2013. Her employer discovered she was behind an anonymous…
James Skelton has been announced as a finalist in the 2019 Australasian Law Awards
Congratulations to James Skelton who has been announced as a finalist in the ‘Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (30 or under)’ category of the Australasian Law Awards 2019. The Australasian Law Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of Australia and New Zealand’s leading legal professional, firms and in-house teams for their…
Michael Byrnes discusses work, health and safety issues for junior lawyers in firms
Michael Byrnes and Jerome Doraisamy discuss the WHS issues that law firms across the board need to be aware of when it comes to idiosyncratic issues affecting younger lawyers in the workplace, particularly the impacts of fatigue, sustained stress, bullying and exploitative interactions with clients.Listen to the podcast here…
Michael Byrnes discusses the issue of employees v independent contractors in the “gig economy”
The ‘gig economy’ is a by-product of disruptive companies and it’s raising questions for governments and employment law experts. Are workers sole traders? Are they independent contractors? Are they employees? Deliveroo is pushing for a ‘third way’ of legally defining contract workers, which would allow companies to provide some benefits –…
Michael Byrnes discusses the legal issues arising from video recording and dissemination
Michael Byrnes speaks with John Stanley on radio 2GB and 4BC about the legality surrounding video recording and what happens if you are sent unwanted videos in light of a string of NRL sex tapes Listen to the recording here…
Michael Byrnes appears on The Keep podcast
In this episode Michael covers: The culture changes that must be implemented within businessesThe social impact of the #Metoo movementWhy implementing training is important?The impact of power structures within the workplace- What is it and how does it work?Creating the right processes to follow when complaints are made and to follow through.Encouraging people to come forward…
Wellness is core to our philosophy
Our philosophy is that we employ the “whole person” not just the lawyer, the support person or the manager. Our staff are people first and foremost. The days of expecting people to leave their personal lives at the door are gone. It is inappropriate to expect people to take phone…
2019 a year of opportunities and growth
Whilst increased competition, disruption and consolidation continue to play out throughout the legal sector, our position in the market place of serving entrepreneurs, businesses, innovators, families offices, families and government remains in growing demand. Highlights included helping a global client with their national business model roll-out, working with a number of property…
Monique Robb in AccountantsDaily discussing tax debts in divorce proceedings
Speaking to Accountants Daily, Swaab senior associate, Monique Robb said the case was a departure from the norm but believes it remains a difficult case to argue. “The controversy in this case arises because the ATO took the view that the Crown was not bound by the Family Law Act, i.e. the court…
Podcast | How do courts balance religious beliefs against the best interests of a child?
Family Law legislation dictates that a court’s paramount consideration should be the best interests of a child, and there are numerous factors that a court will take into account in making such determinations. But, in parenting disputes, what happens if the parents cannot agree on the religious upbringing of a child? Can a court determine…