Luke Forsyth
Principal
“I enjoy the lateral thinking needed to find a path to a resolution for my client."
Luke Forsyth is a Principal in Hall Payne’s Sydney office. He practises in the firm’s industrial relations and employment law teams and since 2014 Luke has been consistently recognised as one of Australia’s leading employment lawyers by his peers in the Doyle’s Guide.
“No two matters are the same,” says Luke of his work advising unions, workers, senior executives, managers and health professionals.
“I like difficult cases and I enjoy the lateral thinking needed to find a path to a resolution for my client.”
Luke started with Hall Payne in 2001, before leaving to work as the Senior Legal Officer at the Queensland Nurses’ and Midwives Union in 2008. He returned in 2012 and was appointed Principal.
“I love helping people in desperate circumstances to achieve a successful outcome. And I believe everyone should have access to skilled legal representation regardless of how much money they have.”
Luke brings 18 years’ experience to his work. He acts for a large range of clients, from Senior Executives to unions in the mining, electrical, construction, manufacturing and public sector areas, as well as with local government, aviation and health.
He also specialises in advising on matters of:
- recovering short term incentive (“STI”), long term incentive (“LTI”) and other bonuses
- restraint of trade and confidential information matters;
- defamation;
- professional, particularly health practitioner, registration and professional conduct;
- employee contractual entitlements and common law claims;
- Competition and Consumer Act claims;
- discrimination and sexual harassment;
- all termination of employment/unfair dismissal claims; and
- research misconduct matters.
Luke’s dual practice across defamation and employment law means he has an acute understanding of the importance of how reputation is the cornerstone of someone’s professional and personal life. With this focus, Luke has achieved strong outcomes for employees at all levels, while maintaining the relationships and reputations of his clients throughout the process.
The most satisfying case Luke recalls is the 2014 dispute between the Queensland Government and senior medical officers (SMOs).
“We resisted the introduction of draconian individual contracts for SMO’s and visiting medical officers and ultimately achieved a fairer contract.”
Luke is a member of:
- New South Wales (NSW) Law Society;
- NSW Law Society’s Employment Law Committee;
- Union Lawyers and Industrial Officers NSW; and
- NSW Industrial Relations Society.
He is also an accomplished author, contributing to the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union’s “Nurses and Law”, editions 1, 2 and 3 and is a contributor to Lexis Nexis publication “Workplace Investigations: Principles and Practice”.
When not at work, Luke enjoys reading, cycling and heading to the beach.
Reviews for Hall Payne Sydney
A Big thank you to Hall Payne Lawyers for every ounce of assistance that was given to me to get my workplace injury sorted out after a long and nightmarish time. it was a very difficult and bumpy ride along the way but you guys stood by me and supported me all the way, explaining little legal matters that I never knew about.
Craig Joshua it was such a great experience working this case with you and to all the legal assistants, legal personnel and specialist that have been involve through the entire process I really appreciate it. Can’t thank you enough. This Hall Payne Law firm is EXEMPLARY.
As always THANK YOU.
Name supplied for anonymous publication
I had the pleasure of working with Craig Joshua to help me with my fairly complicated workers compensation matter, and I do not think I could have found better support during this difficult time for me. Craig not only put together a watertight case, but he was always there when I had a question and took me patiently through the whole process from start to finish. On top of that, he went above and beyond by giving me advice how my claim would affect other proceedings and vice versa, which I am grateful for. The icing on the cake was of course the big win at the end!
I couldn’t have asked for more, Baiba was so supportive and always kept me updated and well informed.I would highly recommend her to anyone.
Brooke, Alexandra and Baiba have been an amazing support and an absolute God send during a really challenging and difficult time and through the process.
I recently engaged Hall Payne Lawyers to run my workers compensation case and was impressed from the very start. From those initial words of reassurance right through to the final stages of reaching a successful outcome the HPL team was amazing. Craig Joshua, solicitor, was professional in every respect. He was thorough and always kept me informed of what was going on. Nothing was too much trouble. Alexandra Rogers did an amazing job providing paralegal support. With this journey now behind me I can highly recommend Hall Payne Lawyers.
Many thanks to Craig Joshua of Hall Payne Lawyers and their professional services regarding my Workers Compensation Claim dispute. My questions were responded to immediately with explanations that I fully understood. I really appreciate the support that was provided and I am overwhelmed by the positive outcome. I recommend the outstanding services and expertise of Hall Payne Solicitors.
Thank you to Tim, Joe and your team. What an absolute A1 plus plus plus quality of work, extremely professional and very responsive. I can highly recommend this law firm.
Just a “short” note to thank you and your team for getting me a positive result from my claim with “ICare”.
Although I had a genuine work-place accident I really didn’t know what to do next after it was disputed. Your explanation of the process, follow up, and prompt replies to my questions were excellent. Both myself and my wife Annie (whose health isn’t the best) are very grateful for your diligence and things, I hope, will be a lot better for us, all thanks to your team at Hall Payne and Charmaine (C.F.M.E.U.) Townsville Qld) recommending your legal firm. Please pass on my heartfelt thanks to all concerned.
I will keep you informed of my progress.
With Kindest Regards
Recent Blogs by Luke
Sizable compensation upwards of $650,000 awarded for adverse action claim by university worker
Volunteer deemed 'worker' under Anti-Bullying laws
Professional conduct; maintaining boundaries between health professionals and patients