New additions bring expertise in workplace and industrial relations as the firm grows its Australia presence
Global law firm HFW has continued to grow its workplace relations capability in Australia with the addition of partner Charmaine Tsang and senior associate Steve Bowler.
The lawyers joined HFW’s Perth office on April 14 from Lavan. The move bolsters the firm’s workplace and industrial relations offering and puts the team’s roster at 13.
“We are excited to have Charmaine and Steve join our growing team. This is a critical step in advancing our national capability,” said Mark Sant, head of workplace relations at HFW. “Charmaine and Steve give us an important presence on the ground in Perth as well as strengthening our national work health and safety and industrial relations capabilities. The opportunity for us to collaborate to meet our clients' growing needs for specialist strategic advice has never been greater given the impact COVID-19 is having on workplaces across Australia."
Gavin Vallely, HFW’s managing partner in Australia, also expressed excitement with the new appointments: “We are delighted to welcome Charmaine and Steve to HFW to enhance our workplace relations and safety capability, in particular in the resources, construction, marine and energy sectors, which are key industry areas for HFW.”
For her part, Tsang sees the move as a great opportunity to showcase her expertise. “I am very excited to join as the Perth arm of HFW’s highly regarded workplace relations practice in Australia – working together with my colleagues in Sydney and Melbourne in contributing to what is already an outstanding workplace relations practice,” said Tsang.
HFW launched its workplace relations practice in Australia in 2019, with the hiring of a specialist eight-lawyer team, led by partners Mark Sant and Brendan Milne. Sant and Milne are based in Sydney and Melbourne, respectively.
Steve Bowler
