Martin Watts

(02) 9236 8659
mwatts@stjames.net.au

Level 6
169 Phillip Street
Sydney NSW 2000

PRACTICE AREAS

Employment Law
Industrial Law
Discrimination Law
Harassment & Bullying
Restraints of Trade
Workplace Health & Safety
Administrative Law
Government Law
Inquests & Inquiries
Occupational Licensing
Professional Discipline
Privacy Law
Public Law

QUALIFICATIONS

B Commerce (Economics) / LLB (First Class Honours), Macquarie University 2008

Called to the Bar: 2021

Admitted to Practice: 2009

Called to the Bar: 2021

Admitted to Practice: 2009

(02) 9236 8659
mwatts@stjames.net.au

Level 6
169 Phillip Street
Sydney NSW 2000

PRACTICE AREAS

Employment Law
Industrial Law
Discrimination Law
Harassment & Bullying
Restraints of Trade
Workplace Health & Safety
Administrative Law
Government Law
Inquests & Inquiries
Occupational Licensing
Professional Discipline
Privacy Law
Public Law

QUALIFICATIONS

B Commerce (Economics) / LLB (First Class Honours), Macquarie University 2008

ABOUT

Martin specialises in employment law and industrial relations, as well as discrimination law and administrative law.

Martin was admitted as a solicitor in 2009 and was called to the Bar in May 2021. Prior to being called to the Bar, Martin was a Partner at Kingston Reid, a national law firm that specialises in employment law and work health and safety. Prior to that, Martin was a Senior Associate at K&L Gates (2015 – 2019) and a Lawyer and Senior Associate at Henry Davis York (2008 – 2014).

With over 15 years of experience, Martin has regularly conducted litigation in all Courts and tribunals in his chosen fields.

In the employment and industrial sphere, Martin’s experience includes unfair dismissal matters, general protections claims, employee/contractor matters, Fair Work civil penalty proceedings, restraints, industrial disputes, disciplinary proceedings, workplace investigations, award and agreement interpretation matters and discrimination claims.

Martin’s expertise extends to administrative law matters, including judicial review proceedings in the Supreme Court, appearing for interested parties in coronial inquests, professional discipline and licensing matters, and conducting a range of other proceedings before various tribunals. He also gives advice on administrative law and statutory interpretation issues.

RECOGNITIONS

Peteris Ginters Prize 2021

Rising Star, Employment and Work Health and Safety, Doyle’s Guide 2016 & 2017

Rated as ‘Recommended’ junior counsel in NSW by Doyle’s Guide 2024, 2025 & 2026 in the areas of Employment Law and Workplace Health and Safety