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Molly Lawlor

Associate

Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Arts


  • Education
  • Equal Opportunity and Discrimination
  • Industrial Relations
  • Workplace Health and Safety
  • Employment Law
  • Contractor & Employees

Molly provides advice and support almost exclusively to independent schools.

Molly advises schools across different aspects of employment and workplace relations, including inclusivity and anti-discrimination, safety and child protection, student wellbeing, duty of care, complaints and grievance handling, and enrolment. She supports schools with policy development and review, managing complaints and education-related claims, and handling complex matters such as student discipline, family dynamics and parent concerns.

Molly is committed to helping schools achieve practical outcomes and manage financial, legal and reputational risk when dealing with legal issues.

Molly is valued for her personable approach and ability to build strong client rapport.


Experience

  • Acting for clients in unfair dismissal, general protection and discrimination proceedings (including at conciliations and hearings)
  • Advising on the management of employee performance, conduct and dismissals
  • Assisting independent schools across Australia on managing student and parent relationships, and eliminating the risk of child abuse (including by managing mandatory reporting obligations, and appropriately responding to allegations)
  • Assisting independent schools with managing staff, including upholding expected standards of behaviour and performance, responding to complaints and defending legal claims brought by employees
  • Guiding schools in managing SSR (Social Services Regulator) matters
  • Assisting schools in developing and reviewing policies
  • Assisting schools with handling complaints and managing education related claims
  • Supporting schools to manage a range of complex educational matters, including matters related to student discipline, complex family dynamics and parent complaints
  • Presenting to and delivering staff training to schools on a range of practical and legal issues in the education sector

Leadership

  • Member, Russell Kennedy’s Pro Bono Committee