Kristen Lopes is a partner in the Commercial Dispute Resolution Group with expertise in employment, industrial relations and human rights law. Kristen has experience in matters of both a litigious and non-litigious nature.
Kristen represents clients in a large number of industries including the service, retail, financial, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare and education sectors. She also has extensive experience speaking at conferences and conducting client seminars on workplace issues.
Kristen regularly advises employers on legislation relevant to the workplace, including the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). In addition, Kristen assists employers issues with employment contracts, the interpretation of industrial awards and related instruments, privacy issues, termination and restructuring strategies, return to work and workplace policies. Kristen also has a special interest in managing workplace discrimination, harassment and bullying. In 2004, Kristen was invited to present a paper at the Oxford University Round Table on discrimination in employment.
In December 2009 Kristen completed her master of laws degree with first class honours at the University of Sydney specialising in comparative employment law and obtained the prize in advanced employment law in 2007. Kristen was also a finalist in the 2008 McCallum Medal Presentation Competition where she presented on workplace bullying.
Kristen was called to the bar in Ontario Canada in 1995 and practised employment law as a partner in one of Canada's leading law firms until she relocated to Australia. Kristen was admitted as a solicitor in NSW and joined CBP in 2006.
Memberships
Law Society of NSW, Law Society of Upper Canada, Canadian Bar Association, Human Resource Professional Association of Ontario (Canada).