Who We Are

Tony Smetana is the Managing Director at HLS Legal.

Tony has specialised in employment law, industrial relations and safety law for over 30 years.

Tony has represented employers in landmark employment law and industrial relations cases in Western Australia and Australia.

As a testament to Tony, a number of his clients have remained unchanged in 30 years. He is consistently recommended as a Leading Employment & Workplace Relations Lawyer by his clients and peers.

Tony has extensive experience in assisting companies to negotiate large scale enterprise agreements, particularly in the mining, resources and energy sectors, including the Gorgon and Ichthys Projects.

Tony is an experienced and successful litigator and represents companies in the Federal Court and Supreme Court of WA in complex disputes.

Tony has been at the forefront of strategic thinking in industrial relations for many years, guiding clients through the introduction of legislative change and identifying opportunities for their businesses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Jurisprudence (University of Western Australia)
• Bachelor of Laws (University of Western Australia)

Admissions

• Supreme Court of Western Australia
• High Court
• Federal Court

Tony is consistently Recommended by Doyle’s Guide, as an Employment Law Lawyer (Employer Representation)

Megan provides practical advice and assistance to clients on the prevention, preparation, resolution and response to claims across a broad spectrum of employment law, industrial relations and contract issues, including:

• human resources assistance
• contracts and workplace policies
• unfair dismissal claims
• general protection claims
• discrimination claims
• award and enterprise agreement disputes and underpayments (federal and state)
• enterprise agreement negotiation and approval (including BOOT analysis)
• workplace change and restructure
• termination procedure and entitlements
• workplace health and safety
• deeds of settlement and release

Megan has experience with matters before a range of courts and tribunals, including the Fair Work Commission, the WA Industrial Relations Commission, the WA District Court, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and the Federal Court.

Prior to starting at HLS Legal, Megan participated in a student exchange at the National University of Singapore and afterwards completed a year-long cultural exchange in the United States of America.

 Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (Distinction) (University of Western Australia)
• Bachelor of Science: Major Geography (University of Western Australia)

Admissions

• Supreme Court of Western Australia

Stephanie provides advice in employment law, industrial relations and safety.

She works on matters in the Fair Work Commission, WA Industrial Relations Commission, Industrial Magistrates Court, Magistrates Court, and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

Stephanie advises our clients on:

• termination of employment (unfair dismissal, general protections, breach of contract and defending stop-bullying applications);
• contracts of employment and workplace policies;
• conducting due diligences;
• work health and safety prosecutions and compliances with WorkSafe notices; 
• drafting health and safety documents;
• transfer of business;
• workplace investigations;
• award interpretation;
• workplace change and restructure; and
• performance management.

Prior to commencing in private practice, Stephanie worked at the Fair Work Commission as an Associate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws, Honours (Curtin University)
• Bachelor of Commerce: Accounting Major (Curtin University)

Admissions

• Supreme Court of Western Australia
• High Court of Australia

Fiona provides advice to our clients on employment law, industrial relations, commercial and contractual law matters, including:

• termination of employment (including unfair dismissals, general protections and breach of contract);
• contractual issues and employee entitlements;
• award coverage and interpretation;
• termination of employment procedures, including redundancy;
• underpayments;
• duty of care;
• director’s duties;
• drafting and reviewing employment contracts and independent contractor agreements; and
• employment issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including stand downs.

Fiona has assisted on matters in the Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Fair Work Commission, WA District Court, WA Industrial Relations Commission and the WA Industrial Magistrates Court.

Prior to joining HLS Legal, Fiona worked as a manager in the retail sector and volunteered at a community legal centre.

Fiona has a strong interest in employment law, and brings to HLS Legal a background of excellent service and academic achievement.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (University of Western Australia)
• Bachelor of Commerce: Business Law, Political Science and International Relations (University of Western Australia)

Admissions

• Supreme Court of Western Australia

As the General Manager of HLS Legal, Emma works closely with the Management Team, ensuring the law practice has clear objectives, forging strong links with the HLS Legal values.

Emma offers professional administration of the firm, developing robust systems and procedures to ensure compliance, client satisfaction, and meaningful analysis.

Her innovations in project management, business operations, marketing and training are key to achieving the planned business outcomes.

Emma’s strong organisational skills and commitment to the HLS Legal values and vision, ensures the underlying foundations of our services are supportive of our core functions as Employment Lawyers.

Key Education

•  The College of Law: Legal Practice Management Course (WA)
•  Certificate IV in Bookkeeping and Accounting
•  Bachelor of Teaching Degree

Memberships

•  Australian Institute of Management WA (AIMWA)
•  Australian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA)
•  Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

Louise assists HLS Legal with accounting, payroll and business requirements.

She originally qualified in the UK as an Accounting Technician through AAT UK, relocating to Australia in 1998 initially Sydney then on to Perth. She has recently refreshed her qualifications with a Certificate IV in Bookkeeping and Accounting.

Louise has extensive business and accounting experience, previously working in the hotel industry as a financial controller and hotel owner representative. 

Louise now balances her work at HLS Legal with her role as a busy mum.