Michael Harmer

Chairman and Senior Team Leader

Michael is the Senior Team Leader of the firm, and has in excess of 20 years’ experience in industrial relations. During this time he has provided legal and strategic advice in a number of major enterprise bargaining and change management initiatives and has built up extensive experience and expertise in all our practice areas.

Michael’s background includes managing a major industrial law practice as a partner in one of Australia’s largest law firms and previously having been:

• Research Officer to Presidential members of the then Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission (undertaking legal, economic and arbitral research and advice work initially for Sir John Moore and later Mr Justice Maddern);
  
  
• Solicitor for the New South Wales Department of Industrial Relations (advice and prosecution work in industrial relations, employment and occupational health and safety);
  
  
• Industrial Officer for a private sector employer (oil industry); and
  
  
• Research Officer for one of Australia’s largest unions.

Michael has extensive advocacy and negotiation experience in relevant Federal and State Tribunals. His practice places special emphasis on the preventive law approach in assisting clients in the informed management of a range of human rights, OH&S and employment issues. Michael is also recognised for his specialist advice concerning the employment of senior executives.

According to the 2007/2008 Asia Pacific Legal 500 Survey: "Chairman Michael Harmer is well respected by clients and peers alike and receives the highest accolades".

michael.harmer@harmers.com.au
Location: Sydney