Q&A with a Senior Associate

What is your name?

Gemma Wheeler-Carver

What is your role here at KV?

I'm a Senior Associate working in the areas of Employment, Commercial and Disputes.

When it comes to Employment , Workplace Relations & Safety, how do you add value to KV’s employer client base?

So, I have quite a few years now of experience in advising, training and upskilling employers to understand their rights so that they can best protect their interests and minimise risk in their organisation. I've also had experience working for employees so I have quite a balanced view of the employment law system and can understand all interests involved in the situation.

When it comes to disputes and litigation, what parts do you find the most challenging or interesting?

Often, when people come to you in the context of a dispute it’s quite well into a fairly acrimonious relationship so you can be dealing with a lot of emotional clients, a lot of stress with financial issues and as a result of a relationship breaking down- a business relationship usually. First, speaking to the client to help them work out what their legal issues are because often they don't know what their legal concerns are- they just know that the situation is not one that’s making them feel comfortable. They need some help understanding basically what their legal rights may look like, what allegations they might have and what the best way out is. So, working through that with them at the initial appointment can be very important.

What does your day to day look like at KV?

It depends on the day! Employment law is extremely busy so I'll be spending my day drafting up employment contracts, workplace policies, especially when you focus on positive duty and changes in workplace health and safety and a lot of the other changes just in or coming up. Or, speaking to employer clients who need some assistance with a particularly difficult employee or a situation that they're trying to handle. Other days where I'm dealing with more litigation I might be sitting at my computer for 10 hours straight reading documents that the other side have sent across to try and understand what their position is and helping to put together court documents. On occasion I'll be down at court as well, or appearing virtually for the Fair Work Commission.

What’s your favourite thing about working at KV? We've got a great team, a lot of diverse experience and diverse work with some really fantastic clients- who are often long-term clients who we’ve seen through thick and thin. After that, it is always great to hear from clients in good circumstances that have perhaps initially come to us in a situation that was difficult that we helped them get through. Then they come back to get contracts drafted or something a bit more positive for their business. As the business expands and grows they keep us on board and that’s really quite a nice part of working at KV.

What do your days off look like when you're not at work? When I get a spare moment I enjoy Yoga, Paddleboarding with my partner, going to the movies and out to dinner and drinks with friends and family.

Visit our website to get in touch: https://kvlaw.com.au