Tom Earls

Tom Earls is a distinguished partner at Fair Work Lawyers, a firm he founded in 2014 to champion the interests of businesses, particularly SMEs. With over two decades of expertise in industrial relations, Tom's career has been marked by his involvement in pivotal workplace law developments, starting before the WorkChoices era. His comprehensive experience spans various workplace relations matters, including industrial action, enterprise agreements, dismissals, award interpretation, and business transfers. Known for his pragmatic approach, Tom provides straightforward and cost-effective solutions, backed by a deep well of technical knowledge and meticulous attention to detail. Tom has adeptly handled cases across numerous spectrums, from enterprise agreements to safety prosecutions and Full Court appeals. His expertise extends into construction and commercial law, offering guidance on contract negotiations and representation in commercial disputes across various courts, including the Magistrate, District, Supreme and Federal Courts. Notably, Tom has significant proficiency in security of payment matters, advocating effectively for both claimants and respondents. Before establishing Fair Work Lawyers, Tom served as the industrial and legal manager at the Master Builders Association of South Australia, acquiring invaluable insights into industry practices. His early career involved advising the Federal government and honing his skills at First IR Pty Ltd, one of Australia's premier private industrial advocate firms. Tom's academic foundation includes a BEc (Hons) and LLB from Macquarie University, completed in 2004.