Our Presenters | 
George Haros
Partner. Workplace Advisory and Disputes
Gadens George is a Partner based in our Workplace Advisory and Disputes Group who specialises in employment, industrial relations, litigation and dispute resolution. He is highly acclaimed in advising and acting in both complex and high profile litigation and is often called upon where the protection of reputation is a key focus. George offers industry-specific knowledge in a number of areas, including professional services, construction, health, technology, sport, transport, manufacturing, security and hospitality. George is frequently called on to comment on changes from and proposed changes for employment and industrial relation laws. George’s management background combined with his practical experience as a lawyer enables him to offer valuable and strategic insights to his clients. His experience in business as both an owner and someone who has built a business which has then been acquired, provides George with a deep understanding of the issues associated with operating a business and can provide considered, commercial solutions to clients. Whether they are multinationals, start-ups, established SME's, senior executives or high-profile sportspersons, George provides his clients with tailored advice to assist them in meeting their objectives. He has experience in providing advice and assistance on a range of both front and back end employment issues including investigations into conduct related issues, performance management, assistance with managing employee absences' for prolonged periods and assistance with workers' compensation claims. He also has experience in preparing entire suites of employment documentation, as well as providing induction training sessions to employees and contractors for the purposes of rolling out new policies and procedures and providing advice and assistance in relation to workers' compensation claims.
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Diana Diaz
Special Counsel, Workplace Advisory and Disputes
Gadens Diana is a Special Counsel in the Workplace Advisory and Disputes Group. Diana has more than 15 years’ experience assisting businesses achieve their people-related goals. Diana’s clients value her calm and pragmatic approach to resolving workplace issues. Diana's key practice areas include enterprise agreement making, managing workplace change and restructuring, terminations, disputes, workplace investigations, employee mobility, award and enterprise agreement compliance and Fair Work Ombudsman investigations. Having worked in national and international firms, Diana has experience advising clients in a range of industries including FMCG, retail and hospitality, health, medical research, technology, real estate, professional services and education. Diana has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide in the category of Employment & WHS Law Rising Stars – Victoria, 2024. The category recognises individuals practising in employment, industrial relations and workplace health and safety matters in the Victorian legal market who have been identified as future leading lawyers within the area. | 
Jessica Smith
Lawyer, Workplace Advisory and Disputes
Gadens Jessica is a Lawyer in the Workplace Advisory and Disputes Group. Having been admitted to practice in 2023, Jessica completed Gadens graduate program and has settled in the Workplace Advisory and Disputes team as an employment lawyer. Jessica demonstrates a pragmatic clientcentred approach to her work and enjoys building relationships with clients across a variety of industry sectors. Jessica provides advice to corporate clients and individuals on a broad range of matters across the employment life cycle including: employment contracts and policies; managing workplace change and restructuring; employment disputes and workplace investigations; compliance matters including award and enterprise agreement interpretation; termination of employment; and managing employment-related claims including unfair dismissal, general protections, and other breaches of the Fair Work Act. |
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