Kristy Peacock-Smith

I am a partner in our International HR Services Group in Sydney where I advise our clients on the full spectrum of employment and industrial law issues.

I lead the Sydney office's employment law team. I am part of the firm's International HR Services Group, which assists clients across the globe in achieving practical and sustainable results in relation to all areas of employment law.

I advise our clients on everything from business establishment in Australia, drafting of contracts and policies, managing poor performance and long term illness issues, dealing with employee/contractor distinctions and investigations by regulators, drafting short and long term employee incentive plans, conducting litigation including unfair dismissal, adverse action, breach of contract and restraint of trade; carrying out employer investigations and delivering training programmes. I also work closely with our Sydney M&A team, advising on due diligence and business integration, particularly where large organisations merge with a smaller, highly entrepreneurial business.

As a result of working for one of the world's leading technology law firms, a significant number of my clients operate in the technology space, which brings unique challenges in respect to employment law, particularly surrounding the gig economy and Australia's strict regulatory regime. I am in a unique position to assist our clients in navigating through this regime because of our significant experience gained through working for start-ups and new business entrants into the Australian marketplace.

In addition to my work for large organisations and start-ups, I get great enjoyment and fulfilment in working on a pro bono basis for a number of clients in the not-for-profit sector, working to make real change in our local community.