Received an application from the Fair Work Commission? You generally have just 7 days to respond — but getting the response right matters as much as meeting the deadline, or a claim can run away and become far bigger than it needed to be.
Employment Law for Employers · Australia Wide

Managing a business is hard enough.
Let us help resolve your employment dispute.

Dismissing an employee, responding to a Fair Work claim, or dealing with a difficult staff member? Request a callback and one of our employment lawyers will contact you for frank, practical advice — confidential, and built around how your business actually runs.

Advice and representation from expert solicitors, not HR consultants Retainer and fixed fee available Free discovery call within 24 hours

Book your free discovery call

Tell us a little about what's going on — takes under a minute.

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Our results

We measure ourselves by outcomes — and by how supported business owners feel while we get there.

What to expect

Your free discovery call, step by step

No jargon, no pressure — just a clear conversation with a senior lawyer so you know exactly where your business stands, and how much time you have, before you decide anything.

1

Speak to a lawyer, not a call centre

We know your time is valuable. That's why your first call is with an expert employment lawyer directly — so you don't need to repeat your story over and over again.

2

A full strategy, not just an answer

We give you straightforward answers, but more importantly, we map out a full strategy for resolving the matter — whether you want to handle it yourself from there, or have us act for you.

3

Certainty on costs

"How long is a piece of string?" You hate that expression. So do we. We deal with these matters daily, so we know exactly what needs to be done — you're not paying someone to research the law as they go. We offer retainer and fixed-fee options, which we'll discuss on your first call.

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Meet the team

Our employment lawyers

A close, senior team — and on every matter, at least one partner. Expert solicitors who understand how a business runs, not generalist HR consultants.

Serge Gorval

Serge Gorval

Managing Partner
Merna Aziz

Merna Aziz

Senior Associate
Nelaka De Silva

Nelaka De Silva

Associate
Peter Lacivita

Peter Lacivita

Senior Associate
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Fixed Fee & Retainer

Predictable costs for ongoing employee issues.

Gorval + Partners offers fixed-fee packages for common employer needs — contract and policy reviews, dismissal advice, FWC responses — plus ongoing retainer arrangements for businesses that want employment law support on call. You'll get a clear quote before any work begins, no surprises.

Not sure what you need?

Book a free discovery call and we'll recommend the right fee structure for your situation — fixed fee, retainer, or one-off advice — with no obligation.

Book my discovery call
Insights & explainers

Employment law explained

Plain-language answers to the employment law questions business owners ask most — written by the lawyers who deal with them every day.

Employment Law

Big changes to constructive dismissal claims under general protections

A major procedural change that affects how these claims move through the Commission.

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Employment Law

When is a redundancy not genuine?

Get the redundancy process wrong and a "redundancy" can become an unfair dismissal claim.

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Employment Law

Three written warnings before termination — is that actually the law?

What a fair process actually requires before you dismiss for performance.

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Employment Law

How to stop a bully legally

What employers are legally required to do when a bullying complaint is raised.

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Employment Law

Personal leave & sick leave — what's the difference?

Get this wrong and you risk refusing leave an employee is legally entitled to.

Read the story →
Employment Law

Discretionary bonus — no obligation, right?

Why "discretionary" bonus wording doesn't always protect your business the way you think.

Read the story →
Employment Law

Help, I was given a deed of release — what is it?

What a properly drafted deed of release needs to actually protect your business.

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Employment Law

When does casual employment become permanent?

What the employee-choice conversion pathway means for your rosters and your risk.

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Read more stories →

Why us?
Most of the "employment specialists" out there are HR consultants, not lawyers — and they've never set foot in the Fair Work Commission. We have. We know exactly how the procedure works, and that's precisely why we resolve disputes quickly and cheaply: because the lawyers and consultants on the other side know we won't back down.

A lot of the industry pretends to know employment law. We actually practice it. Some disputes call for a commercial resolution — settled quickly and cheaply, with minimum disruption to your business. Others call for a fight. The difference with us is that we know exactly which is which, and we're equally prepared for both.

Connect

Tell us what's happening in your business

Every enquiry is strictly confidential. Send a few details and we'll be in touch to arrange your free discovery call — remember, Fair Work Commission deadlines can be as short as 7 days.

Call
1300 330 642
Email
info@gorvalandpartners.com.au
Office
Level 6, 49–51 York Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Hours
Mon–Fri, 9am–5:30pm
After-hours appointments by arrangement
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Don't delay — FWC deadlines apply

Received a claim? Time may be short.

Fair Work Commission responses often carry strict deadlines — in many cases just 7 days. Talk to one of our employment lawyers today: expert solicitors, not HR consultants, with fixed fee and retainer options available.

Your first discovery call is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation.

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