Snagging the in-house veteran was "a coup" for the firm
Kingston Reid has added Michael Mead, who led the consulting and legal services team at employer organisation Ai Group, to the firm’s partnership.
The in-house veteran had been Ai Group’s legal head for the past six years.
“To secure someone of Michael’s industry stature and varied industrial relations experience across such a range of industries and employers as a partner is a coup for our firm,” Kingston Reid managing partner Alice DeBoos said.
Mead has almost 20 years of experience working in defence, retail, fast moving consumer goods, fast food, heavy engineering, community services and airline and support services. He has specific expertise when it comes to matters involving food and metal and engineering manufacturing, as well as ground handling businesses supporting aviation.
He has conducted significant industry test cases, including the Award Modernisation proceedings, the Social and Community Services Award pay equity case and the two-year Modern Award Review, DeBoos explained.
“In particular, the knowledge he has gained in his work before numerous full bench proceedings in the Fair Work Commission in industries as diverse as manufacturing, construction, community services and airline sectors, as well as being involved in key enterprise bargaining issues, will be invaluable to our employer clients,” she said.
Mead highlighted his knowledge of the Fair Work Act as a valuable addition to Kingston Reid’s capabilities.
“I believe my background in participating in the proceedings that created over half of the current awards, as well as multiple appearances before Senate committees about the development and enactment of various aspects of the Fair Work Act and other Federal workplace laws will add value to the firm’s service offering,” he said. “The firm has built an enviable reputation in a relatively short space of time, and I look forward to adding a skill set acquired over nearly two decades with a peak employer body to the mix.”
Mead will operate from Kingston Reid’s Sydney office. He is the 12th member of the firm’s partnership.
