Chris Shelley is a Partner in the Workplace Relations and Safety Group in Brisbane. He acts for employers across public and private sectors, providing strategic advice and representation on complex workplace matters. Drawing on his experience as a senior in-house advisor at a leading, global investment bank, Chris is known for delivering clear, commercial solutions to senior executives, boards, HR leaders, and legal teams.
Chris advises employers on the full spectrum of employment and IR matters, including strategic advice, disputes, policy initiatives, investigations, whistleblower complaints, bargaining, contracts, restrictive covenants, discrimination claims, and confidentiality breaches.
Chris has advised employers across the APAC region, giving him a strong appreciation of the regulatory, cultural and reputational pressures facing both global and local organisations. He understands the brand and governance risks that workplace issues create and is recognised for seeing matters through from strategy to resolution, ensuring practical, lasting outcomes for his clients.
Expertise
Experience
- Global investment bank Advising on and representing client in enforcement of restrictive covenants / confidentiality obligations, disciplinary processes, and dismissals.
- Global mining client Advice on strategic projects, contested dismissals, and representation in Fair Work Commission.
- Queensland Statutory Corporations Advising on public interest disclosures, conduct investigations, disciplinary matters, and restructuring processes.
- State Government Department Advising on workforce industrial action and injunctive relief in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.
- Infrastructure Owner/Operator Advising on contractor workforce industrial action and injunctive relief.
- Superannuation fund Conducting an investigation into executive conduct and advising on a disciplinary outcome.
- Transport and infrastructure client Advice and representation on an enterprise agreement interpretation dispute.
- Statutory Corporation Advising on workforce considerations in divestment of critical functions to the State Government.
- Business Mergers Advising multiple clients on workforce transfer considerations in mergers and acquisitions.
- Psychosocial Risks Advising multiple clients on psychosocial risk management and delivering training to leadership teams and boards.
- Goldman Sachs As Senior Employment Counsel, advising in ANZ, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
