About Rachel
Rachel is a partner in the firm’s employment and workplace advisory group. She specialises in strategic employee engagement, the management of sensitive employment disputes, organisational restructures, industrial relations and employment issues in commercial transactions.
Rachel acts for public and private companies in the professional services, finance, property, retail, manufacturing and health sectors. She is also committed to her work across the not-for-profit sector.
Rachel is regarded for her considered and practical advice on all aspects of employment law.
She has been recognised as a “Rising Star” for Employment Workplace Health and Safety in Doyle’s Guide and by Best Lawyers International for her expertise in employee benefits law.
Rachel joined Arnold Bloch Leibler in 2016 and was appointed to partner in July 2024. She graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws with honours.
“Rachel is first class. She is highly capable, exceptional, experienced and responsive.”
Practice focus
Rachel’s practice spans advisory and litigation work, and includes:
- strategic workplace planning and change management
- employment litigation and dispute resolution
- advice in relation to the engagement and dismissal of employees
- terms and conditions of employment, including executive employment and remuneration
- strategic industrial relations advice
- workplace policies, procedures and compliance
- workplace investigations
- employment aspects in commercial transactions.
Experience
Rachel’s recent experience includes acting on behalf of:
- Alceon Private Equity: in relation to the employment aspects of the acquisition of Boss Engineering
- Australian Community Media: in relation to large scale enterprise bargaining, industrial disputes and individual employment disputes
- Chargrill Charlie’s: in relation to the employment aspects of the sale of business to Craveable Brands
- Private company in the services industry: managing large scale and historical underpayments and industrial disputes
- ME Bank: in relation to the employment aspects of its $1.325 billion sale to the Bank of Queensland
- A health network: in relation to wholescale restructures, industrial disputes, renegotiations and multiple private employment disputes
- A professional services firm: in relation to large scale redundancies and enterprise bargaining
- ASX listed company: management of claims of misconduct against senior management
- A national retailer: in relation to various employment disputes
- A manufacturing company: in relation to industrial action, enterprise bargaining and dealings with multiple unions
- A financial services provider: in relation to the termination of employment and the enforcement of post-employment restraints and the protection of confidential information, and
- Various clients in the property, financial services, retail, education, sporting and not-for-profit sectors: in relation to structuring and enforcement of employment obligations, the engagement of independent contractors, policy development and implementation, workplace investigations, termination of employment, employment issues arising from sale/acquisitions, underpayment allegations, transfer of business and redundancies, and managing sensitive executive exits.
“She explains the concepts well, provides prompt advice and supports me through the difficult emotional pressures created by legal workplace issues.”
Directorships & memberships
- Industrial Relations Society of Victoria
Awards & recognition
Rachel is recognised as a leading lawyer by various international guides to lawyers and law firms, including:
- Best Lawyers® International: employee benefits law, and
- Doyle’s Guide 'Rising Star' employment and workplace health & safety.
