Tessa Duthie

Tessa practices in industrial relations and employment law. 

Tessa represents clients in a vast range of employment and industrial relations matters, including all types of applications arising under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), such as general protections disputes, Modern Award/EBA interpretation/contraventions, unfair dismissal applications and industrial relation disputes (right of entry, industrial action and enterprise bargaining). Tessa also acts for clients in respect of contractual disputes (restraints of trade, breaches of fiduciary duties), discrimination/sexual harassment applications and workplace health and safety matters. 

Tessa advises and appears in matters in the Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Fair Work Commission and various State Courts and Tribunals. Tessa also frequently represents clients in ADR processes.

Tessa read with Marc Felman KC.

Prior to joining the Bar, Tessa was an Associate in Gadens’ Employment Advisory Team.

A list of some of Tessa's recent cases and publications is below.

Some of Tessa's recent case experience includes: (the party Tessa acted for is indicated in bold text)

• Bar Crusher (Rockbank) v Ali Taheri  [2024](STRIKE-OUT OF PLEADING, FedCFam)
• Gogulwar v HB Fuller Company Australia Pty Ltd [2023] FedCFamC2G 45 (GENERAL PROTECTIONS APPLICATION - ADVERSE ACTION)
• Wong v National Australia Bank (FEDERAL COURT APPEAL) (lead by Marc Felman KC)
• Club Assist Pty Ltd v Yap [2022] FWCFB  175(APPEAL - UNFAIR DISMISSAL) 
• Matthew Morrissy v Transport Accident Commission  U2021/5036(UNFAIR DISMISSAL)
• Australian Manufacturing Workers Union v McCain Foods (Aust) Pty Ltd [2021] FWCFB (APPEAL - INDUSTRIAL LAW) (lead by Marc Felman SC) 
• Phillips v Hoban Recruitment Pty Ltd [2021] VCAT 934 (STRIKEOUT/SUMMARY DISMISSAL APPLICATION - DISCRIMINATION) 
• Counsel assisting the independent Conduct Committee compromised of the Hon. Julie Dodds-Streeton QC , the Hon. David Habersberger QC and the Hon. Katharine Williams QC and appointed by the Hon. Chief Justice Alstergen re: complaints against a Judge of the Federal Circuit Court.
• Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated v Health Select Pty Ltd T/A Health Select [2021] FWC 1434 (INDUSTRIAL LAW)  (lead by Patrick Wheelahan QC) - Respondent to Application for a Bargaining Order.
• Zion Church in Melbourne Australia Inc v Solomon Woldeyohannes [2020] FWC 4194 (UNFAIR DISMISSAL - JURISDICTIONAL OBJECTION - pastor of a church – jurisdictional objection – whether applicant an employee – whether intention to be legally bound, objectively assessed )
• James Cook University  v Ridd[2020] FCAFC 382 ALR 8 (APPEAL) (led by Stuart Wood QC, with Ben Jellis) INDUSTRIAL LAW – interpretation of Enterprise Agreement – whether Code of Conduct incorporated – whether disciplinary action taken for breaches of Code of Conduct contravened Enterprise Agreement – meaning and effect of cl 14 of Enterprise Agreement relating to Intellectual Freedom.

Publications:

• Employee or Contractor, the eternal conundrum