We recently caught up with Kirsty Easdale, Special Counsel in Wotton Kearney’s growing Government practice, to learn more about her story and what drives her work.

Kirsty recently joined our Canberra office from MinterEllison, bringing over ten years’ experience advising Commonwealth agencies on employment, industrial relations, discrimination, and workplace health and safety matters.

Kirsty’s appointment enhances WK’s government practice, combining knowledge in complex employment law with experience advising Commonwealth agencies including the Department of Defence, Department of Home Affairs, Services Australia, and the Australian Federal Police.

You recently joined Wotton Kearney, bringing extensive experience in government employment and industrial relations. Can you share a bit about your career journey and what excites you most about your role?

My career has been shaped by a consistent focus on, and passion for, employment law. Early on in my career, I identified employment law as an area of interest, and went back to university to obtain my Masters of Labour Law & Relations to get a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the area.

I have spent the last decade working on high profile, sensitive matters for employers – ranging from Commonwealth government and ASX listed entities to SMEs. This work has included industrial relations disputes, work health and safety, misconduct investigations, litigation, restructures and enterprise bargaining.

Joining Wotton Kearney has provided an opportunity for me to continue my work with Commonwealth departments, and to provide clear, cost-effective solutions. I am also excited to contribute to building a Government team that understands the unique demands of the public sector.

You’ve advised major Commonwealth agencies on complex employment, industrial relations, and workplace safety matters. What drives your passion for these areas?

What drives me is the complexity and nuance inherent in workplace law – no two matters are ever the same. Each issue involves a unique combination of legal frameworks, organisational context and human behaviour. Workplace law is also constantly evolving – whether through legislative reform, shifting workforce dynamics, or emerging risks in health and safety.

In the government context, employment and industrial relations issues often carry significant legal, operational and reputational weight. I find it deeply rewarding to support clients in making decisions that are not only legally sound but also aligned with public expectations and organisational values.

Looking back over your career, what’s been the most rewarding matter you’ve worked on, and what made it particularly memorable?

One of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on involved advising a Commonwealth department through a complex public interest disclosure investigation that had significant reputational and operational implications. The matter required careful navigation of procedural fairness requirements, statutory obligations, and internal policy frameworks. What made it particularly meaningful was the opportunity to support decision makers in managing risks moving forward and maintain public confidence.

Looking back, the matters I have enjoyed most have been where I have been able to provide clients with confidence in the defensibility of their decisions. It is not just about minimising risk, but providing clarity, consistency and alignment with broader organisational values.

The legal and workplace landscape is always changing. What emerging employment or industrial relations risks or opportunities do you see for Commonwealth agencies?

One of the most pressing risks for Commonwealth agencies is payroll compliance. The Commonwealth government is not immune from the underpayment issues that have plagued even the largest, most sophisticated employers in Australia. Following the recent decision in Fair Work Ombudsman v Woolworths Group Limited; Fair Work Ombudsman v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd; Baker v Woolworths Group Limited; Pabalan v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd [2025] FCA 1092, agencies may see an increase in underpayment claims. More broadly, that decision has significant implications for the government’s record keeping, overtime requirements, and reconciliation practices for annualised salaries.

Work health and safety is already a core focus for the Commonwealth, but Agencies should expect a greater focus by the regulator on individual duty holders and officer due diligence obligations. There will also continue to be a growing focus on psychosocial hazards, particularly in light of a broader shift across jurisdictions toward mental health accountability in the workplace. Agencies will need to ensure their risk management frameworks and internal capabilities are equipped to identify these hazards and apply adequate controls.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I am a qualified PADI Dive Master, and I have been lucky enough to do some challenging, technical dives in some of the most far flung places in the world. It is a hobby that I haven’t been able to indulge in much since the arrival of my two young kids though. I do like to think that both scuba diving and parenting have equipped me with skills that translate well to the legal world – staying calm under pressure and clear communication amongst them!

Looking ahead, what’s a professional and/or personal goal you’re excited to pursue?

After my Masters I swore off further study, but I am close to completing a Certificate IV: Government Investigations, which has further sharpened my understanding of the intersection of criminal and administrative investigations, and the practical application of the Australian Government Investigation Standard.

It might sound gauche in this context, but I am genuinely excited to help build a Commonwealth government focused practice here at Wotton Kearney alongside Clare McNamara and John McPherson. Our team is growing quickly, and the firm has been incredibly supportive – not just in resourcing and strategy, but in fostering a culture that values collaboration and deep subject matter expertise.

There is a real sense of purpose in what we are building: a team that understands the unique demands of government clients and delivers advice that is both technically precise and practical. Being a part of that growth, and working with the broader Canberra office and the national Workplace team, is a goal I am motivated by.