David Shaw | Partner | Melbourne

David has a wealth of experience in the fields of industrial law, employment law and equal opportunity
law. David has represented major unions, union members, the Victorian Government, employers and
senior executives in disputes arising in both the public and private sectors. His clients include major
unions, such as the Australian Education Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, major
corporations and senior executives.

A significant part of David’s practice involves acting for employees with complex employment related
problems:

• Breach of contract and misleading and deceptive conduct claims for former employees. For
example, in the David Walker v Citicorp proceedings in which, after lengthy litigation,
David Walker was awarded $6,409,050.36 by the Full Court of the Federal Court;

• Internal disciplinary proceedings representing employees, particularly those in public sector
employment – this has resulted, in some cases, litigation to ensure that the employee gets the
benefit of the rules of natural justice;

• Whistleblowing complaints – acting for whistleblowers and negotiating compensation packages,
including a compensation package for Dr Gerry McLaren who made public interest disclosures
about the activities of a neurosurgeon operating in the Australian Capital Territory;

• Sexual harassment and discrimination claims - acting on behalf of employees who have been
subjected to sexual harassment, discrimination, victimisation and bullying. David has been
responsible for major equal opportunity litigation in Victoria including a sexual harassment clam in
which the Tribunal ordered the largest payment for pain and suffering for a sexual harassment
victim in Victoria in proceedings against the Victoria Police. He is also frequently involved in
negotiations on behalf of women who have been discriminated against on returning to work
following maternity leave.

As a result of David’s own previous employment with the Commonwealth Public Service, many years
working with Holding Redlich and, more recently, working part time on a public sector board, he has a
wide range of experiences which assist him in reaching positive and sensible outcomes for his clients.

David has, over many years, been involved in pro bono litigation on behalf of refugees and Aboriginal
people. He represented one of the applicants in the Tampa case, has worked with the Refugee &
Immigration Legal Centre on a number of high profile court applications on behalf of refugees and is part
of team from Holding Redlich representing Aboriginal people challenging the Commonwealth’s
intervention in the Northern Territory.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws - Australian National University

Appointments
Acting Chairman, Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management Board