Imogen Szumer

Imogen acts for clients in a wide array of matters including workplace investigations, unfair dismissal and redundancy, general protections, underpayments, contractual disputes and restraints of trade, discrimination and sexual harassment. Imogen also advises and acts for trade unions in various matters, including in enterprise agreement and bargaining matters, contested dispute hearings, regulatory investigations and proceedings and right of entry matters.

Imogen brings a strategic and pragmatic approach, working closely with each client to achieve their personal objectives.

“There is an inherent power imbalance in the employment relationship, and this is often exacerbated in disputes. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping empower my clients to uphold their legal rights and reclaim agency in their working lives,” says Imogen.

Some of Imogen’s previous matters include:

• Acting for unions in contested Fair Work Commission arbitrations, including successfully defending an employer's attempt to terminate union members' protected industrial action and successfully obtaining orders for an employer to provide extensive information about a restructure process and properly consult with the union and its members. 
• Representing clients in Federal Court litigation including in relation to General Protections, discrimination, sexual harassment, and contractual claims, including negotiating favourable settlements. 
• Representing a union member in his unfair dismissal case after the member was fired on medical incapacity grounds from a job in a safety-critical industry. The matter settled on the first day of the hearing, with the member receiving 52 weeks’ pay. 
• Representing employees in discrimination and adverse action conciliations in the Fair Work Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission and securing compensation and undertakings for employers to conduct internal training.

What Imogen's clients say: 

"I feel extremely grateful for the support you and Josh have given to me. I felt my case was handled with the utmost sensitivity and care, ending in a great result due to both your diligent efforts. You and Josh represented my interests with such dignity and really had my back. I am beyond grateful to both of you for your kindness and skill. I really had the best of the best!"

"I want to take this opportunity to thank you and Kamal for all your support and guidance. I always felt that you both thought strategically about every option and put those options to me in a way that I could understand. In particular, I would like to personally thank you for all the hard work you put into getting me the best possible outcome under the circumstances. The last eight months have been the most stressful period of my entire career and your concern for my well-being means a lot to me. I chose Maurice Blackburn based on your reputation for industrial relations matters. I’ve never regretted that decision and would highly recommend your services to others in a similar situation."

Memberships & accreditations

• Law Institute of Victoria | Member
• Australian Labour Law Association | Member
• Redfern Legal Centre | Volunteer Alumni

Awards

• Doyle's Guide | VIC Rising Star Employment & WHS Law | 2023