Jim Babalis is a seasoned legal professional with extensive expertise in workplace and industrial relations, as well as in insurance matters such as liability and indemnity. Currently serving as the Principal Lawyer at FCW Lawyers, Jim provides strategic advice to businesses, HR/IR leaders, and executives. His work focuses on reducing risk and ensuring compliance through enterprise agreement negotiations, unfair dismissals, general protections, and complex workplace investigations. Jim's role in corporate restructuring and governance extends to advising boards, where his guidance aids entities in navigating complex decisions. Beyond his legal practice, Jim has made significant contributions to governance as a board member and company secretary of prominent organisations like the Better Health Network and Fronditha Care. His involvement in these roles reflects his dedication to corporate governance and his desire to positively influence the broader community. Jim's career has evolved through various reputable positions, including Principal Lawyer at Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams Lawyers & Notary and Special Counsel at Harwood Andrews. His background also includes significant tenure as Senior Legal Counsel at both the Victorian Hospitals' Industrial Association and the Australian Health Industry Group, where he honed his skills in directors and officers liability insurance and workplace relations. Earlier in his career, Jim was a Senior Consultant at Marsh & McLennan Companies and a Senior Associate at Gadens Lawyers, further developing his expertise in claims within financial lines and professional indemnity. His journey began as a Lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor, specialising in employment law, which laid the foundation for his substantial legal career. Jim holds an LLB and a BA (Hons) from La Trobe University, where he was actively involved in the La Trobe Law Student's Association and the La Trobe School of Politics Association.
Principal Lawyer
FCW Lawyers
Jan 2026 - Present • 9 months
Principal Lawyer | Head of Employment Law
Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams Lawyers & Notary
Jul 2024 - Dec 2025 • 1 year 5 months
Special Counsel | Head of Employment Law
Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams Lawyers & Notary
Jan 2024 - Jul 2024 • 6 months
Board Member
Better Health Network
Dec 2023 - Present • 2 years 10 months
Company Secretary
Fronditha Care
Jun 2023 - Present • 3 years 4 months
Member Board of Directors
Fronditha Care
Nov 2022 - Present • 3 years 11 months
Chair - Governance Committee Member
Fronditha Care
Mar 2022 - Present • 4 years 7 months
Special Counsel
Harwood Andrews
Jan 2022 - Dec 2023 • 1 year 11 months
Senior Legal Counsel (Workplace Relations)
Victorian Hospitals' Industrial Association (VHIA)
Oct 2017 - Dec 2021 • 4 years 2 months
Senior Legal Counsel
Australian Health Industry Group
Mar 2016 - Sep 2017 • 1 year 6 months
Senior Consultant (Global Claims Financial Lines & Professional Indemnity)
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
Jan 2014 - Mar 2016 • 2 years 2 months
Senior Associate
Gadens Lawyers
Aug 2010 - Dec 2013 • 3 years 4 months
Lawyer
Australian Government Solicitor
Apr 2006 - Aug 2010 • 4 years 4 months
Claims Delegate
Transport Accident Commission
Jan 2004 - Apr 2006 • 2 years 3 months
LLB, BA (Hons), Law
La Trobe University
1995 - 2002
Last checked: 12 Sept 2026 • Checked with Victorian Legal Services Board
