Michael Kay

Partner

Michael Kay leads Wallmans Lawyers’ Employment, Safety and Workers’ Compensation practice.

Michael has been repeatedly recognised in Best Lawyers Australia* in both Labour and Employment Law and Occupational Health and Safety Law, and in Doyles’ Guide to the Legal Profession as a Leading Employment Lawyer and WHS Lawyer in South Australia. In 2021, Michael was named the sole Lexology Client Choice Award Winner for the whole of Australia, in the category of Employment and Labour Law. 

Michael provides advice to employers in relation to all aspects of labour strategy, employment disputes, and legal compliance.

Michael’s advice includes the review and preparation of enterprise agreements, contracts of employment, workplace policies and procedures, and statutory compliance. Michael also has significant expertise advising on (and defending disputes relating to) terminating employment, injury and absence management, performance management, workers’ compensation, work health and safety, allegations of underpayment, investigations and prosecutions by regulatory bodies, allegations of bullying, redundancies and restructures, privacy and FOI, allegations of breach of general protections, and all matters arising under anti-discrimination law. Michael also acts for both vendors and purchasers in relation to employment law due diligence arising from complex mergers and acquisitions. Michael also advises and represents registered employers in relation to workers compensation matters before the South Australian Employment Tribunal.

Michael has a significant background in litigation, having represented employers in most employment related jurisdictions, in particular the Federal Court of Australia, the Fair Work Commission and the South Australian Employment Tribunal. Michael has degrees in Laws and Legal Practice (Honours) and Behavioural Science (Organisational Psychology). Active in his field and known for his personable, pragmatic and decisive approach with clients, Michael frequently provides media comment and conducts workshops for leading industry bodies.

Memberships / associations

• The Law Society of South Australia
• Australian Human Resources Institute
• Industrial Relations Society of South Australia
• Australian Labour Law Association

• Telephone (08) 8235 3044
• Email michael.kay@wallmans.com.au
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