Angela Szczepanski

Expertise

Angela has over 20 years’ experience in workplace and industrial relations. Angela is highly experienced in advising on areas such as dismissing employees, workplace bullying and harassment, discrimination and human rights issues, general protections and public interest disclosures. Angela also has experience in providing complex and sensitive advice to all levels of government.

Angela has also prepared submissions to Federal and State Government regulatory authorities on behalf of clients in relation to compliance matters.

Angela provides high level written and face-to-face strategic legal advice on all areas of workplace law, risk and compliance across a number of industries including mining, building and construction, manufacturing and retail.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Angela assisted clients navigating the challenging issues arising out of the workplace in the health industry, including representing an employer in the Fair Work Commission when dismissals were challenged by multiple employees.

Angela has also represented client who have been the subject of complex and sensitive investigations by regulatory authorities and commissions. She has also represented clients in matters relating to allegations of corrupt conduct of a public official, perjury and other related offences.

Experience

Investigations

conducted an investigation into allegations of multiple breaches of Federal and State laws by numerous public service officers. The investigation included interviewing approximately 20 witnesses, drafting an investigation report and legal advice as well as providing reports to a federal regulator. An analysis of the allegations was also required for the purposes of determining whether any referrals were to be made under the relevant crime and corruption legislation
conducted a desktop review of documents that related to government committee meetings for the purposes of considering whether a public service officer had breached state anti-discrimination laws.

Employment Law

carriage of and representation in the Industrial Court of Queensland on a public interest disclosure matter on behalf of the Appellant in a multiple party proceeding. Preparation of legal advice to the client on legal strategy relating to the proceedings, outcomes and consequences if found to be in breach of the relevant legislation
carriage of and representation the Industrial Court of Queensland and Queensland Industrial Relations Commission on behalf of the State of Queensland in matters involving appeals pursuant to the Public Sector Act, general protections, discrimination and reinstatement applications
carriage of and representation in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission on a public interest disclosure matter on behalf of a Respondent in a multiple party proceedings. Proceedings included applications:
- for disclosure from parties and non-parties to the proceedings
- for non-publication (suppression) of information
- to reinstatement of former employee
- to recusal of a member of the Commission
- to set aside notices to produce documents
carriage of and representation in the FWC on protected industrial action applications, termination of enterprise agreements and bargaining orders against the union.

Compliance and Regulatory Law

provided advice and assistance to a client in relation notices under section 155 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)
carriage of and representation of witnesses at the Royal Commission into the Federal Government social security scheme
provided advice and assistance to a client in relation to the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee’s Inquiry into the Crime and Corruption Commission investigation of former councillors of local government and related matters
provided advice and assistance to a client subject of an investigation by the Office of the Independent Assessor.

Appellate Courts

carriage of and representation in the Court of Appeal for the Appellant which related to duties and offences in relation to misconduct in public office
carriage of and representation in the Court of Appeal for the Appellant which related to stay of civil proceedings pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

Special Counsel - Brisbane

Areas of Expertise