Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors (ABLA) has announced an overhaul to its practice to focus solely on workplace relations and employment law.

The firm has closed their corporate and commercial practice as of 27 February, moving the respective lawyers to another local firm.

ABLA Director and Head of the firm’s Newcastle office, Kyle Scott said the change will allow the firm to focus solely on providing businesses with workplace law and advisory services.

Kyle said Hunter businesses will continue to have unrivalled expertise on all workplace law issues.

“Workplace and employment law has been ABLA’s principal area of practice for more than a decade, and we have continued to grow significantly over that time,” Kyle said.

“We can better serve our clients by having our energy and resources dedicated to this important and ever-changing area.

“The Federal Government is introducing some of the most significant industrial relations reforms in more than a decade, and we are excited to be supporting our clients through this new era.

“There has already been huge demand for information from the business community on the Secure Jobs, Better Pay reforms, with ABLA’s team speaking at many business events already this year to bring employers up to speed on the changes.

“While our focus has sharpened, our mantra ‘experts make things simple’ remains, as does our approach of mutual respect and collaboration with clients.”

ABLA’s workplace and employment law team has picked up a string of accolades over the last five years, including being a four-time winner at the Australian Law Awards, winner at the Australasian Law Awards and being named a Legal 500 Leading Law Firm for Employment law.

Kyle is a Law Society of NSW Accredited Specialist in employment and industrial relations law. He has more than a decade’s experience in managing complex terminations, enterprise bargaining, award compliance, post-employment restraints and employment litigation.

His expertise is demonstrated by the fact that he is recommended in the Doyles Guide and the Legal 500 Asia and Pacific lists of top employment lawyers.

ABLA provides a full range of workplace law services, including employment law, industrial relations, WHS, HR consulting, workplace investigations and workplace training.

IMAGE | Left to right: Kyle Scott, Claudia Simmons and Kate Thomson.