Joseph Kennedy

Principal

I try to use the law progressively as a vehicle to address inequality, unfairness and injustice

Joseph Kennedy is a Principal at Hall Payne, working in Sydney’s employment and industrial relations team. He is admitted to both the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia.

Joseph has a wealth of experience advising unions and employees who have been treated unfairly.

He has specialist accreditation from the NSW Law Society in Employment and Industrial Law and is a member of the Advisory Committee for that practice area. Joseph has advocated in most Australian courts and tribunals with a focus on Fair Work Commission and Federal Court matters.

Joseph is also independently recognised in Doyle's Guide as a Leading Employment Lawyer in NSW.

Before joining Hall Payne, Joseph worked at a private labour law firm in Sydney. He has also worked as a lawyer with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and United Voice.

“I get a lot of satisfaction from using the law to achieve lasting positive change for our clients in a cost-effective way.”

Joseph’s most satisfying cases at Hall Payne to date have been the successful appeal to the full court of the Federal Court in Fair Work Building Inspectorate v Bragdon & Ors which developed the principles of right of entry for union officials, and the recent reinstatement of CFMMEU member and labour hire coal mine worker Kim Star.

Outside work, Joseph volunteers at community legal centres, gives pro-bono help to asylum seekers and did a volunteer internship with the UN Refugee Agency. He is a member of the NSW Law Society, APHEDA, and Balmain For Refugees .

Recent Blogs by Joseph

Can my employer deduct incorrectly paid JobKeeper payments from my future pay?

Overpayment of JobKeeper and wage deductions

06 July 2020

JobKeeper provides payments to qualifying employers to pay eligible employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Strict conditions apply. But what happens if an employer incorrectly claims JobKeeper? Can they deduct the overpayments from the worker's pay?

What’s causing the surge in unfair dismissal claims during the coronavirus pandemic?

What’s causing the surge of unfair dismissal claims?

28 May 2020

In May 2020, Fair Work Commission President, Justice Iain Ross AO revealed that unfair dismissal claims have increased by 60% in April 2020 as compared to April 2019. In this article, we identify three potential factors contributing to the increased unfair dismissal claims.

ASP Ship Management/RTM Officers Enterprise Agreement Appeal

Hall Payne secures win for maritime officers and marine engineers

04 May 2020

Hall Payne secures a great win for members of the Australian Maritime Officers’ Union and the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers in a recent appeal to a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission related to rejection of the Enterprise Agreement.

What are my JobKeeper entitlements and how much should I get?

The JobKeeper scheme: employee entitlements and employer responsibilities

22 April 2020

Although the JobKeeper scheme has been widely heralded, there have also been a number of concerns raised; particularly in relation to potential unscrupulous behaviour by some employers.

More Blogs From Joseph