Kate O'Connor Email and Phone Number

Advise organisation on broad range of issues including employment/IR, procurement, infrastructure projects, governance, property and privacy. Trusted advisor to People & Safety team regarding enterprise agreement interpretation, sensitive conduct and performance issues and restructures.

I provide advice and coordinate external advice on a wide range of matters, including property transactions, privacy, procurement, governance (including responding to investigations by regulatory agencies such as the Victorian Ombudsman) and employment relations.

I devise and implement key business initiatives and projects on behalf of the CEO, Board and Innovation Strategy Group.I introduced legal and business process improvement to practice and shared services teams, emphasising efficient and effective use of people, systems and processes.I co-created and implemented client service program for whole firm, focusing on value to clients throughout the lifecycle of engagement.

As Manager of Maddocks' Diversity & Inclusion program, and in addition to the project role detailed above, I created and implemented a successful and sustainable diversity & inclusion strategy. This has had an extremely positive impact on Maddocks and its people, with particular successes being increases in paid parental leave, coaching for senior women going on or returning from parental leave and the launch of Maddocks Pride, our LGBTI & allies network. My diversity role also involved:- developing, implementing and monitoring programs that promote diversity and inclusion within the firm and externally;- developing initiatives to create and foster an open and inclusive environment and one which meets best practice requirements;- co-ordinating WGEA, Employer of Choice and AWEI submissions; and- providing guidance, advice and support on equality, diversity and inclusion issues.

I developed and implement key business initiatives and projects as identified by the CEO, by working with key stakeholders and shared services functions as required. These include reinvigorating the firm's client training offering and revising time recording practices to ensure lawyers communicated to clients the value of the work performed.

Professional Support Lawyer for Employment, Safety & People Team.As the first person to occupy this role at the firm, I revised and re-drafted the team's precedent documents, including employment agreements, independent contractor agreements and deeds of release.I managed the team's knowledge via administering a central knowledge bank and regularly updated the team on useful reference documents.I developed and coordinated training in all aspects of employment law, including OH&S and discrimination, for graduates and new lawyers.I edited and drafted client updates and seminar presentations.