Leigh Howard Portrait

Leigh Howard

Bar roll 2016 Admitted 2011
  • Commercial Law Employment & Industrial
  • Public Law
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Leigh practises in industrial relations, regulatory and public law.

Leigh is briefed nationally for industrial relations work and has experience in all types of applications under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). His work in this area is routinely recognised by Chambers and Partners, Doyle’s Guide, the Legal 500 and the AFR's Best Lawyers.

His public and regulatory practise extends to consumer, financial services, occupational health and safety, environment, discrimination and human rights. He has particular experience in civil penalty proceedings and white collar crime, and has acted for and against Australia's most prominent regulators. He is known for his excellent grasp on statutory construction, constitutional, judicial review and regulatory enforcement principles.

Prior to the bar Leigh was a Senior Associate at Clayton Utz. He has also previously been a judge's associate, a tutor in constitutional law at La Trobe University, and an editor of Halsbury's Laws of Australia. He is a director and company secretary of List G Barristers.

“Leigh is highly engaged, exercises impeccable judgement throughout the litigation process, and is always commercial and practical, looking for the best holistic outcome for the client. He has a great demeanour, is approachable, very responsive, and puts clients at ease” – Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific Guide, 2023.

Contact

Correspondence
Chambers & Clerk

Aickin Chambers
Level 21 Room 4

200 Queen Street 
Melbourne VIC 3000 

View map

Jane King

03 9225 8558

Expertise

Commercial Law
  • Consumer Credit
  • Consumer Law
  • Corporations & Securities
  • Sports Law
  • Superannuation
Employment & Industrial
  • Appellate
  • Confidential Information
  • Discrimination
  • Employment Contracts
  • Industrial Disputes
  • Public Sector Appeals
  • Restraint of Trade
  • Statutory Employment Rights
  • Work Health & Safety
  • Workers Compensation
Public Law
  • Administrative Law
  • Civil & Human Rights
  • Constitutional Law
  • Discrimination
  • Judicial Review

Qualifications

Qualifications

Master of Laws

Bachelor of Laws (Hons)

Bachelor of International Relations

Advanced Diploma in Japanese

Admitted

Victoria

Entitled to practise in

State and Territory Courts and Tribunals

Federal Court of Australia

High Court of Australia

Recent Cases

Notable industrial and employment cases
  • Re Commonwealth of Australia represented by the Department of Home Affairs [2019] FWCFB 143 (workplace determination arbitration, led by P O’Grady KC and S Meehan)
  • Regional Express Holdings Ltd v AFAP (2021) 290 FCR 239 (adverse action, coercion, threats, led by B Walker SC)
  • Wipro Limited v State of NSW & Anor [2022] NSWCA 265 (long service leave, overseas employment, led by Y Shariff SC)
  • Infosys Limited v State of Victoria (2021) 64 VR 61 (long service leave, overseas employment, led by P Hanks KC)
  • Elisha v Vision Australia [2023] VSCA; [2022] VSC 754 (psychiatric injury, breach of duty, breach of contract, led by B Myers KC and G Worth)
  • Heldberg v Rand Transport (1986) Pty Ltd (2018) 280 IR 93 (misleading and deceptive conduct, reasonable notice, incorporation of policy, bonus scheme)
  • Visy v AMWU & Ors [2018] FCA 1799 (unprotected industrial action, coercion, adverse action, led by J Snaden)
  • Re Minister for Industrial Relations for the State of Victoria [2016] FWC 8826 (section 424 termination, led by F Parry KC)
  • Esso Australia v AWU (2016) 245 FCR 39 (unprotected industrial action, coercion (as instructing solicitor))
Notable public and regulatory cases
  • Lendlease v ABCC (2022) 175 ALD 415 (implied freedom of political communication, constitutional facts, led by J Bourke KC and M Follett)
  • ASIC v AMP Superannuation Ltd & Ors [2022] FCA (unconscionable conduct, fees for no service, led by C Truong KC)
  • ASIC v AMP Financial Planning & Ors [2022] FCA 1115 (fees for no service, led by C Truong KC)
  • Geappen v ASIC [2020] AAT (FoFA adviser duties, led by B McTaggart SC)
  • Goodstart Early Learning Ltd v VWA [2019] SCV (judicial review of a refusal to enter into an enforceable undertaking)
  • FWO v Pioneer Contracting Services Pty Ltd [2019] FCAFC (accessorial liability, s 550 FW Act, led by R Doyle SC)
  • Burgess v Director of Housing & Anor [2014] VSC 648 (Charter of Human Rights and Responsibiltiies, public housing (as instructing solicitor))

Publications

Memberships

Member of the Board of Directors of List G Barristers

Australian Labour Lawyers Association

Australian Association of Constitutional Law

Australian Institute of Administrative Law