Two Senior Associates from specialist employment law firm, Aitken Legal, have been recognised as Rising Stars for 2022 by the Australasian Lawyer.

Senior Associates Hamish Procter and Kate Simpson both demonstrated leadership and significant achievements in relation to employment law and industrial relations advice they provided to clients across all industries during 2021.

Australasian Lawyers Rising Stars 2022 recognises the excellence of 79 lawyers under 35 in the legal profession across Australia.

During the year, Kate and Hamish worked tirelessly advising Employers on employment law issues, particularly in relation to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their workforce.  They navigated through unchartered territory throughout the year, as employment laws continuously changed to meet the never encountered before issues that came with the pandemic, and at all times kept on top of developments so as to advise clients of the changes.

This follows a year of Aitken Legal celebrating 15 years on the Sunshine Coast and 10 years on the Gold Coast as well as being ranked by the Australasian Lawyer as a Top Boutique Firm in Australia for 2021 in the Employment category.

Aitken Legal Managing Director Lisa Aitken commented:

“We are so proud of Hamish and Kate for being recognised as Rising Stars in the Legal Profession – this is a great achievement!  Hamish started with Aitken Legal as Law Graduate and was admitted as a lawyer in September 2012.  Since then, I have seen Hamish grow into an exceptional lawyer.  He is patient, considered and develops excellent strategies to assist our clients to mitigate their risks when dealing with complex, and often delicate, employment law issues.  He is creative in his approach to employment law challenges and provides solutions which regularly exceed client expectations. 

Kate has been with Aitken Legal for 10 months and has been a valuable addition to our team.  Having obtained Specialist Accreditation in Workplace Relations Law in Victoria, she was also recognised for the same accreditation with the Queensland Law Society upon commencing with our firm.  Her public sector expertise has increased our firm’s skill set and offering to Public Sector clients.  Kate has a strong determination and passion for the law that will stand her in good stead for the future.”

Senior Associate, Hamish Procter added:

“I am honoured to be recognised within the legal profession.  It has been an extraordinary year for many businesses – with some businesses growing significantly, and others facing the challenges of having to reduce their workforce or manage temporary downturns in business.  It has also been an interesting time to be an employment lawyer.  The last 2 years have been unprecedented in terms of new and developing law in the employment law space, and we have certainly been faced with situations that no employment lawyer has ever faced or advised on before.  It is then particularly rewarding to be recognised in 2022 given the challenges we have all faced in the last two years.”

Senior Associate and Accredited Specialist in Workplace Relations Kate Simpson said:

“I am thrilled to receive this recognition.  It has been a fascinating year with so many employment law changes taking place.  Employment law never sleeps, and I enjoy helping clients to navigate the challenges it presents.”