Erica Hartley
Erica Hartley specialises in all areas of employment and safety law with particular experience in complex employment disputes and termination of employment claims such as unfair dismissal, general protection, bullying and sexual harassment, whistleblowing claims and equal opportunity matters.
Erica has experience in advising on complex employment matters including running investigations under privilege.
Erica advises corporate clients across a broad range of industries including mining and resources, construction, maritime, government trading enterprises, community sector and age and disability services.
Erica regularly appears for clients in hearings in the Fair Work Commission, state and federal courts and equal opportunity tribunals. Erica also advises on all aspects of safety law including psycho-social risks, investigating safety incidents and defending safety prosecutions. Erica has been named “Lawyer of the Year” for Occupational Health and Safety Law in Best Lawyers™ Australia 2025 edition. She is also recognised in Best Lawyers™ for Labour and Employment Law and Employee Benefits Law.
Experience
Erica’s recent experience includes:
- Resources: Defending an injunction claim from the AMWU seeking reinstatement of an employee who was dismissed as a result of taking medicinal cannabis;
- Engineering and Construction: Defending a large multinational engineering company in a complex Federal Court claim by an ex-employee for breaches of general protection provisions, Corporations Law and common law; and
- Assisting clients with conducting complex investigations into safety incidents including ones involving bullying and harassment.