Drayton’s Law

Employment law, from the employer’s side.

Ross Wakeford, Legal Practice Director, Drayton's Law
Ross Wakeford
Legal Practice Director
our ethos
Drayton’s Law was founded on a simple belief: employers should have access to top-tier legal advice without the top-tier price tag. We act for employers of all sizes, and we keep it down to earth: what the law says, what the risk is and what we would do.
Who leads the practice
Our Legal Practice Director started his career at Clayton Utz, one of Australia's leading law firms, then moved in-house with an ASX 100 company. He has appeared in local, state and federal courts and regularly appears in the Fair Work Commission. Drayton's Law brings top-tier technical training and in-house commercial experience together in one place, in a grounded, relatable, practical way.
Top tier
Law firm training
ASX 100
In-house experience
Courts
Local, state and federal
Fair Work
Regular Commission appearances
We understand
Claims

More applications are being written with AI and lodged in the Fair Work Commission. We assess them quickly and respond in proportion.

Complexity

Restraints, underpayments and litigation. Our lawyers have run them in the Commission and the courts.

Certainty

We tell you where you stand and what we would do, with the cost known before we start.

Experience

01Appeals

Appeals in the Fair Work Commission and the courts, including Full Bench appeals.

  • Full Bench appeals
  • Appeals arising from restructure disputes
  • Various other appeals

Court proceedings for employers at every level, from complex federal litigation to local matters.

  • Federal Court of Australia
  • Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
  • Queensland Industrial Relations Commission
  • Industrial Magistrates Court
  • Complex employment proceedings

Numerous matters across the Commission's jurisdictions, including submissions filed at the Commission's request.

  • Unfair dismissals
  • General protections
  • Majority support determinations
  • Bargaining disputes
  • Enterprise agreement coverage and undertakings
  • Entitlement disputes
  • Multi-award coverage
  • Submissions at the Commission's request

Discrimination and human rights complaints defended for employers at state and federal level.

  • Queensland Human Rights Commission
  • Australian Human Rights Commission
  • Discrimination claims defended
  • Sex discrimination matter discontinued

Protecting the business when people leave, and resolving disputes about what was agreed.

  • Post-employment restraint enforcement
  • High-stakes executive separations
  • Contractual disputes
  • Coverage disputes
  • Complex workplace personal injury

Public sector work, including acting for local councils on state industrial relations questions.

  • Acting for local councils on state industrial coverage questions
  • QIRC wage disputes

Past matters. Every matter turns on its own facts.

Our expertise
Claims & disputes
Unfair dismissal
General protections
Discrimination, harassment & bullying claims
Underpayment claims & regulator investigations
Right of entry disputes
Industrial action & bargaining disputes
Termination & restraints
Termination advice & process
Redundancy & consultation
Separation deeds & releases
Enforcing & defending restraints
Resignation, abandonment & mutual separation
Contracts & documents
Employment contracts
Executive service agreements
Independent contractor agreements
Restraint, confidentiality & IP clauses
Incentive & bonus terms
Policies & procedures
Advice & compliance
Award & enterprise agreement advice
Pay & leave entitlements
Restructures & transfer of business
Sexual harassment & positive duty
Flexible work & reasonable adjustments
Where we appear
Fair Work Commission
Queensland Industrial Relations Commission
Federal Court & FCFCOA
Industrial Magistrates Court
Human rights commissions
HOW WE CHARGE
Know the cost before we start.
Fixed fee
We can scope a single fixed quoted price so you have certainty over legal costs.
For peace of mind.
Hourly
For work that can’t be scoped in advance. You get an estimate first, and we tell you before it moves.
Senior lawyers at sensible rates.
Drayton’s Legal On Call
A monthly legal retainer with included hours and a named senior adviser who knows your business.
Reduced rates on further work.
Want a lawyer on call? We’ve got you covered.
Need a workplace lawyer?
Tell us what has happened. We will tell you where you stand and what it will cost before we start.
Request a Consultation