The firm sought a “commercially minded leader” to bolster client support during COVID-19
Boutique firm SLF Lawyers has brought in Moray & Agnew partner Elizabeth Aitken to head its workplace and safety team.
The appointment is a step in SLF’s upscaling initiative as it bolsters support for clients in the face of COVID-19-related challenges.
“We knew that to help our clients navigate the challenges of a post-pandemic world, we needed an experienced partner who could lead our national practice group. We also wanted a commercially minded leader who could contribute more broadly to operational improvement, client service delivery and engagement,” SLF partner Rebecca Fahey said.
Aitken was recognised by AFR as the youngest partner appointed among the law firm respondents of the publication’s annual legal survey three years previously. She has a wealth of experience in workplace relations and safety law, and is an expert in advisory, advocacy and litigation.
She has appeared before the Federal and Supreme Courts, the Fair Work Commission and anti-discrimination and equal opportunity tribunals, acting on behalf of major corporates, insurers and state government bodies in complex employment cases and litigation.
Fahey said that Aitken’s experience and her strong reputation within the profession made her the ideal candidate to head up SLF’s national workplace and safety practice “at a time when the firm is experiencing rapid growth in a changing legal market.”
“Workplaces throughout the country are currently coming to grips with a range of complex issues as they put in place arrangements suited to the new COVID-normal environment,” Fahey said. “These challenges range from considering mandatory vaccinations as part of return-to-office plans, through to addressing issues relating to the mental health and wellbeing of employees.”
Aitken said that she was eager to be “at the vanguard of change” in the legal industry.
“The world of work is going through a period of profound change and there is an impetus on the legal profession to not only ensure it keeps up with these changes but stays ahead of the curve to deliver the results that clients expect,” she said. “SLF Lawyers cares about connecting deeply with its clients’ needs and objectives and delivering on those with strong results. The firm has a broad outlook and does things differently which is what sets it apart in the industry.”
