Leonie
McAuley
Associate
Qualifications
LLB/BEc, Australian National University
LLM (Employment Law), University of Sydney
Admitted
Supreme Court of South Australia (2018)
My Approach
I have gained over 14 years' experience both internationally and in Australia in human resources, workplace and industrial relations, having delivered strategic business partner and executive level support within a magic circle law firm, major investment bank, leading Australian oil and gas company and within the healthcare sector.
What I bring to SDM is unusual - I've worked as an employment lawyer and as a Chief People Officer. I've sat in the HR chair making the decisions, and in the legal chair advising on them. That combination means I deeply understand employment challenges from the inside as well as the management of risk from an independent perspective.
As an experienced workplace investigator, I have conducted complex investigations into workplace behaviour and employee allegations, acting on behalf of employers to defend claims. My experience extends to analysing enterprise and collective agreements, contracts and modern awards against existing pay structures to ensure compliance and avoid underpayment demands.
As a lawyer working in human resources, I have also developed and delivered training programs for leaders and HR Business Partners - covering unfair dismissal avoidance, effective investigations, contact officer training and managing chronic sick leave and long-term absence.
My full biography can be reviewed on LinkedIn.
I work with businesses on
Enterprise bargaining, industrial action strategy and union negotiations
Employment contracts, policies and compliance reviews
Award interpretation and underpayment risk assessment
Unfair dismissal, general protections and discrimination claims
Workplace mediations
Workplace investigations into grievances and misconduct
Training for leaders and HR teams

