Employment lawyers in Melbourne
First, the 5 firms we picked in Melbourne, with the reason for each. Then every other firm in the area, so you can compare. Whether a firm suits your situation is something to check with the firm directly.
- Firms we picked
- 5
- Picks last checked
- 1 October 2026
How we pick
Every firm in our picks meets all four. Picks are not for sale.
- An office in the cityThe firm has an office in the city.
- A page for this area of lawIt has a dedicated page for this area of law on its own website.
- An active ABNIt has an active ABN, which we check on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au).
- A merit signal we can citeIt has at least one merit signal we can point to: a Doyle's Guide listing for this area and state, a law society accredited specialist in this area, a Google rating of 4.5 or above from 50 or more reviews, or a notable reported case or recognised award.
What “our picks” means
These are our picks, which means our opinion, not a ranking and not a guarantee. We explain the reason for each pick and link to the evidence we used. Picks are not for sale. If a firm ever pays to be listed, it appears in a separate slot labelled Sponsored and is never counted among our picks.
Our picks
This is our opinion: firms that meet every criterion above. It is not a ranking, and the Google rating beside a firm is Google’s, not part of why we picked it.
Maurice Blackburn provides legal services in work and road injuries, medical injuries, employment law, class actions, wills and related areas across Australia. It has been helping and guiding clients for over 100 years.
What the firm says it handles
- Work injuries
- Road injuries
- Medical injuries
- Unfair dismissal
- Employment contract
- Workplace bullying
Why we picked it
A large national plaintiff firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier for employee-side employment work in Victoria, with Josh Bornstein ranked Market Leader and Daniel Victory Preeminent.
- Office
- Level 21, 380 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- Free first consultation · Fixed fees · No win, no fee
- Languages besides English
- Also speaks Italian, Arabic, Persian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Greek
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Jewell Hancock Employment Lawyers is a Melbourne-based employment law firm that provides advice and representation to employees on workplace issues. The firm acts exclusively for employees, was established by two principals and has an office in Brisbane.
What the firm says it handles
- Unfair dismissal
- General protections
- Contract advice
- Workplace bullying
- Redundancy advice
- Workplace discrimination
+2 moreShow fewer
- Underpayment claims
- Sham contracting
Why we picked it
An employee-only employment boutique that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier for Victoria, with Trent Hancock and Andrew Jewell both ranked Preeminent.
- Doyle's Guide 2026: Second Tier employment law firm, Employee & Trade Union Representation, Victoria (opens in a new tab)
- Doyle's Guide 2026: Trent Hancock and Andrew Jewell (Jewell Hancock) listed Preeminent, employee side, Victoria (opens in a new tab)
- Firm's own site: acts exclusively for employees (opens in a new tab)
- Office
- Level 3, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- Free first consultation · No win, no fee · Fixed fees
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Kelly Workplace Lawyers provides employment and workplace law services from offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The firm was established in 2011.
What the firm says it handles
- Disciplinary meetings
- General protections
- Unfair dismissals
- Enterprise agreements
- Independent contractors
- Intellectual property
+2 moreShow fewer
- Awards, NES & entitlements
- Redundancy
Why we picked it
A Melbourne workplace boutique that Doyle's Guide places in the Third Tier for Victorian employee-side work, with Joseph Kelly ranked Leading, and which also acts for employers.
- Office
- Trades Hall Building, 54 Victoria Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Slater and Gordon Lawyers
Melbourne CBDWhy we picked it
A large national firm with a dedicated employment practice that Doyle's Guide places in the Third Tier for Victorian employee-side work, with Geoff Borenstein and Michael Sayers listed as Recommended.
- Office
- Level 35, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
STAL Employment Lawyers is a specialist employment law firm providing employment law and workplace relations advice in Melbourne. It has offices in Melbourne CBD and Bundoora.
What the firm says it handles
- Unfair dismissal
- Discrimination complaints
- Underpayment claims
- Termination and redundancy
- General protection rights
- Industrial relations
+1 moreShow fewer
- Workplace policies and procedures
Why we picked it
A Melbourne employment firm that Doyle's Guide lists as Recommended for Victorian employee-side work, and which acts for both employees and employers.
- Office
- Level 11, 456 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
If cost is the problem: free legal help
- JobWatch
Free employment rights information and advice service for Victorian workers; regional Victoria 1800 331 617.
(03) 9662 1933
- Fair Work Ombudsman
Free Fair Work Infoline on pay, entitlements and workplace rights.
13 13 94
- Victoria Legal Aid
Free legal information and help finding legal assistance for Victorians.
1300 792 387
All firms
Different city or area?
When you need a employment lawyer
Situations where people commonly speak to a employment lawyer:
- You have been dismissed, made redundant, or told your role is changing, and the process looks unclear.
- You have raised or been the subject of a bullying, harassment or discrimination complaint at work.
- You are being asked to sign an employment contract, a settlement or a restraint of trade clause.
Questions about employment lawyers in Melbourne
- How does Zoe pick employment lawyers in Melbourne?
- Every firm in our picks meets all of these. The firm has an office in the city. It has a dedicated page for this area of law on its own website. It has an active ABN, which we check on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au). It has at least one merit signal we can point to: a Doyle's Guide listing for this area and state, a law society accredited specialist in this area, a Google rating of 4.5 or above from 50 or more reviews, or a notable reported case or recognised award. These are our picks, which means our opinion, not a ranking and not a guarantee. We explain the reason for each pick and link to the evidence we used.
- Are these lawyers paid to be listed?
- No. Picks are not for sale. If a firm ever pays to be listed, it appears in a separate slot labelled Sponsored and is never counted among our picks.
- What does employment law cover?
- Work disputes: dismissal and redundancy, bullying, harassment and discrimination complaints, and employment contracts, settlements and restraint of trade clauses. This is general information, not legal advice about your situation.
- When do people speak to a employment lawyer?
- Situations where people commonly speak to a employment lawyer: You have been dismissed, made redundant, or told your role is changing, and the process looks unclear; You have raised or been the subject of a bullying, harassment or discrimination complaint at work; You are being asked to sign an employment contract, a settlement or a restraint of trade clause. This is general information about common situations, not advice about yours.
- Are there free options for employment matters in Melbourne?
- Yes. If cost is the problem, this page lists JobWatch, Fair Work Ombudsman and Victoria Legal Aid under free options.
Zoe guides on employment matters
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Start a free chat with ZoeZoeLaw is not a law firm. Picks are our opinion; we don't share your details.
AI-generated legal information, not legal advice. Zoe can make mistakes. Check the cited sources, and before you act on this, rely on it, or use any draft, get a qualified Australian lawyer to check it.
