Herbert Smith Freehills appointment continues growth of safety expertise in Sydney

Herbert Smith Freehills is pleased to announce the appointment of Lucy Bochenek as a special counsel in the firm’s Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety practice in Sydney. Lucy — previously a special counsel at Clyde & Co — joined the firm in January 2022. 

Health and safety forms a key part of the Herbert Smith Freehills holistic employment and industrial relations offering – and it has been essential to have this speciality as part of the firm’s assistance to our employer clients both during and as we progress through the Covid pandemic.

Lucy is a work health and safety law expert who specialises in strategic, regulatory and risk management issues across a range of sectors including construction, energy and resources, property and transport.

Lucy has significant experience acting as defence counsel in workplace health and safety prosecutions and in representing parties in Coronial Inquests and Inquiries proceedings. She also has expertise in conducting incident investigations and compliance audits, drafting workplace health and safety policies and procedures, and is renowned for her innovative training sessions for her clients.

Herbert Smith Freehills’ Australian Regional Head of Practice for Employment, Industry Relations and Safety, Steve Bell said, “We are very pleased to welcome Lucy to the team. Health and Safety forms a central part of how our clients approach their employment and IR issues – now, more than ever. Lucy’s addition to the national team continues the growth of this part of our practice and will provide clients will further access to support in this important area.

“Lucy has been involved in many of Australia’s most significant WHS prosecutions and penalty proceedings, acting for both defence and prosecution counsel. Our clients will benefit greatly from Lucy’s expertise, and we are pleased that she has joined the team of Nerida Jessup, special counsel, and Graeme Tanner, senior associate in Sydney.”