Deborah Mackenzie

Deborah Mackenzie is a seasoned employment lawyer with a robust foundation in litigation. She began her legal journey in 1992 after completing her Economics degree at the Australian National University, working initially as a law clerk in a notable Canberra criminal litigation firm. This role provided her with significant litigation experience while she pursued her law studies by correspondence. Deborah further honed her skills with the ACT Government Solicitor, where she managed the Territory's debt recovery practice. After taking a break to focus on family, Deborah resumed her legal career in 2005, completing her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. By 2006, she had joined the employment law team of a leading Canberra firm, where she discovered her passion for employment law. Following her admission as a solicitor, Deborah dedicated her practice to this field, working with several prominent firms in the region. In 2017, Deborah established Mackenzie Workplace Law, embracing a micro-law firm model that allows her to deliver personalised employment law services. Her practice caters to both employees and employers, offering insightful perspectives that drive practical results. Known for her pragmatic approach to workplace issues, Deborah is valued for the attention and care she provides to her clients, ranging from private and public sector employees to businesses and not-for-profit organisations. Deborah has a keen focus on advising small to medium enterprises lacking dedicated HR services and handles public sector employment issues extensively. She assists employees across various levels of the Commonwealth and ACT Public Service, particularly concerning conduct investigations and disputes. Her expertise spans unfair dismissals, general protections claims, workplace bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment matters, providing guidance through conciliation in the Fair Work Commission and litigation in ACT and federal jurisdictions. Deborah excels in drafting clear employment and contractor agreements and is adept in post-employment restraint matters, especially in the real estate and IT sectors. Recognised by Doyle's Guide and awarded for her excellence in employment relations, Deborah's contributions are well-recognised. She actively participates in the ACT Law Society’s Industrial Relations Committee and various community roles, including as Chair of the Hockey ACT Disciplinary Tribunal.