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Elizabeth Cole

Special Counsel
Melbourne
About

Elizabeth Cole helps public and private sector clients navigate complex employment issues. She is valued for her clear advice and supportive approach.

Elizabeth advises on all aspects of the employment relationship, from commencement through to termination of employment, employee entitlements and compliance with workplace laws, employee investigations, bullying and harassment claims, discrimination and industrial relations issues.

An experienced litigator, Elizabeth regularly acts for clients in the Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Supreme Court of Victoria, County Court, Fair Work Commission and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Areas of FocusFood and BeverageConsumer Goods, Food and RetailCorporateEmployment CounselingLabor RelationsLitigation Arbitration and InvestigationsEnergy and Natural ResourcesRenewablesEmploymentFintech

EXPERIENCE

  • Acting for a global defence manufacturer in urgent litigation, successfully resisting injunction application by union aimed at preventing termination of employee for serious safety breaches.
  • Conducting sensitive investigation for a local subsidiary of international health products company into bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment allegations raised by a member of the executive leadership team against local managing director. 
  • Acting for a public sector emergency services body in defending discrimination litigation brought by current employee. 
  • Auditing compliance with workplace laws for national logistics company and advising on remedial steps required to ensure best practice processes adapted.
  • Advising a publicly listed company on investigation and management of allegations of significant improperly incurred expenses by senior employee, including successfully negotiating employee exit without litigation. 
  • Acting for major public hospitals in a range of employee entitlements, unfair dismissal, general protections and discrimination claims. 
  • Successfully defending injunction, restraint of trade and breach of contract proceedings brought against employee of our insurance broking firm client by a previous employer in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
  • Acting for a major disability services provider in Federal Circuit Court proceedings and associated Federal Court appeal relating to the classification and payment of an employee under the transitional provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), including assessment of the applicable pre-modern award and classification under that award and application of an Equal Remuneration Order.
Education

    AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

    • Legal 500, Labour and Employment (2025)

    Best Lawyers (Australia) - Ones to Watch

    • Labour and Employment Law (2025 – 2027)

    Memberships and Affiliations

    • Law Institute of Victoria

    Connect

    Phone

    elizabeth.cole@dlapiper.com
    (Work)
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