Phil Clarke holds a combined Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Wollongong, where he was awarded Faculty Prizes in Labour Relations Law and Occupational Health and Safety Law.

He first joined Harmers Workplace Lawyers as a paralegal in December 2002, being admitted as a solicitor in February 2005. Phil left Harmers in August 2006, before returning to the firm in 2008.

Phil has acted as a Senior Legal Officer at the Office of the Employment Advocate (and later the Workplace Authority), where he provided general advice and assistance to employers, employees and organisations in relation to the Workplace Relations Act, particularly in relation to statutory minimum standards. Phil also instructed in Federal Court proceedings concerning the freedom of association laws.

Phil also worked for a large law firm providing legal services to a range of Australian Government departments and agencies. During this time, he acted in freedom of association proceedings and advised in relation to the Public Service Act 1999 and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

Phil’s current areas of practice include general employment, discrimination law, litigation, industrial relations and workplace change management.