Mr James McLean
James McLean | Barrister | Brisbane
James has extensive experience in industrial relations and employment law.
He regularly appears for a number of Australia’s most well-known companies in the Federal Court, Federal Circuit Court, Fair Work Commission, and various State Commissions.
James commenced his career with the Employment and Industrial Relations team at Herbert Smith Freehills, before working as a solicitor-advocate at BHP.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney.
A selection of recent cases in which James has been involved are set out below:
Federal Court of Australia – Full Court
Skilled Workforce Solutions (NSW) Pty Ltd v Mining and Energy Union [2025] FCAFC 195
Ulan Coal Mines Pty Ltd v Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia [2025] FCAFC 127 (led by R Dalton KC)
CFMMEU v OS MCAP Pty Ltd [2023] FCAFC 51 (led by M Follett KC)
Federal Court of Australia
Aaron Sansoni Group International Pty Ltd v Manti (No 3) [2025] FCA 1568 (led by P Wheelahan KC)
Mining and Energy Union v WorkPac Pty Ltd [2025] FCA 1454
Aaron Sansoni Group International Pty Ltd v Manti [2025] FCA 1229 (led by P Wheelahan KC)
Mbuzi v World Vision Australia [2025] FCA 466
Qantas Airways Limited v Australian and International Pilots Association (No 3) [2024] FCA 1092 (led by M Follet KC)
Mbuzi v Wordsworth [2024] FCA 977
Tulett v Yourtown Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 513
Hancock v DP World Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 116 (led by M Follett KC)
Qantas Airways Limited v Australian and International Pilots Association (No 2) [2024] FCA 756 (led by M Follet KC)
FCFCOA Litigation
Sultana v Spotless Facility Services Pty Limited [2025] FedCFamC2G 437
Taiki v Pilbara Iron Company Services Pty Ltd (No 2) [2024] FedCFamC2G 744
Tulett v Yourtown Pty Ltd [2023] FedCFamC2G 120
Mabarrack v Healius Pathology Pty Ltd [2023] FedCFamC2G 922
Fair Work Commission – Full Bench
Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union v Keolis Downer Northern Beaches Pty Ltd [2025] FWCFB 240
Application by The Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union [2025] FWCFB 199
DP World Sydney Limited v Lee Witherden [2025] FWCFB 133 (led by M Follett KC)
Roland Barber v Veolia Recycling and Recovery Pty Ltd [2025] FWCFB 141
Applications by the Mining and Energy Union re: Goonyella Riverside Mine, Peak Downs Mine and Saraji Mine [2025] FWCFB 134 (led by I Neil SC)
Application by the Mining and Energy Union re Bengalla Mining Company Pty Ltd [2025] FWCFB 53 (led by R Sweet KC)
Kuiper Australia Pty Ltd v The Australian Workers' Union [2024] FWCFB 378 (led by J Bourke KC)
Application by Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia [2024] FWCFB 253 (led by R Dalton KC)
The Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union v Primo Foods Pty Ltd [2024] FWCFB 304
David Hill v Pilbara Iron Company (Services) Pty Ltd [2023] FWCFB 140
Dong v Incitec Pivot Limited [2023] FWCFB 116
CONTACT
T. 07 3171 4214
M. 0411 789 970
E. james.mclean@qldbar.asn.au
L. Level 7
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Industrial Relations
Employment Law
YEAR OF ADMISSION
2021