BenDudley
Partner
Employment and Industrial Relations Law
bdudley@seyfarth.com
Ben uses his strategic and commercial acumen to help major employers solve their complex, high-stakes employment and industrial law challenges.
More About Ben
Employment and industrial relations are complex and continually changing areas of the law that require a high degree of technical knowledge, matched with a commercial, practical, and responsive approach to solving problems. To navigate the best course, clients need to balance employment and industrial risks against commercial and market pressures. Ben draws on his depth of skills and legal experience to assist clients with charting the right course through these matters.
With more than two decades of experience, Ben has acted for leading employers across almost all major industries in Australia, in all the courts and tribunals, and in relation to the full spectrum of employment and industrial disputes that might arise. When employers are facing potentially costly and difficult matters, they turn to Ben to help them navigate these issues to achieve the best resolutions for their legal goals. Ben is particularly adept at helping clients successfully deal with contentious collective bargaining, individual employment disputes, and post-employment restraint of trade issues.
As a founding partner of Seyfarth’s Australian practice, Ben is an integral part of Seyfarth’s international employment team and provides support to multinational companies on a broad range of employment law issues that span the United States and Asia Pacific. Having worked for many blue-chip employers in high-profile disputes, Ben has unique insight into the legal challenges that arise in relation to complex employment and industrial matters.
Ben surpasses expectations for accurate, speedy, and concise legal advice by using a hands-on approach in each client matter.
Our Australian practice operates as Seyfarth Shaw Australia, an unincorporated legal practice. Legal services provided by Seyfarth Shaw Australia are provided only by the Australian legal practitioner partners and employees of Seyfarth Shaw Australia.
With more than two decades of experience, Ben has acted for leading employers across almost all major industries in Australia, in all the courts and tribunals, and in relation to the full spectrum of employment and industrial disputes that might arise. When employers are facing potentially costly and difficult matters, they turn to Ben to help them navigate these issues to achieve the best resolutions for their legal goals. Ben is particularly adept at helping clients successfully deal with contentious collective bargaining, individual employment disputes, and post-employment restraint of trade issues.
As a founding partner of Seyfarth’s Australian practice, Ben is an integral part of Seyfarth’s international employment team and provides support to multinational companies on a broad range of employment law issues that span the United States and Asia Pacific. Having worked for many blue-chip employers in high-profile disputes, Ben has unique insight into the legal challenges that arise in relation to complex employment and industrial matters.
Ben surpasses expectations for accurate, speedy, and concise legal advice by using a hands-on approach in each client matter.
Our Australian practice operates as Seyfarth Shaw Australia, an unincorporated legal practice. Legal services provided by Seyfarth Shaw Australia are provided only by the Australian legal practitioner partners and employees of Seyfarth Shaw Australia.
- LLB, University of Sydney
First class honours
- BEc, University of Sydney
Economics and AccountingFirst class honours
- An Australian legal practitioner admitted in New South Wales
Related Services
Related Regions
Blogs
- Advised and represented large employers, including several media organisations and an airline in enterprise bargaining projects, including by providing strategic industrial relations advice in the face of protracted and contentious negotiations and, in some cases, participating in arbitration proceedings.
- Assisted a large Australian roadside assistance company establishing processes and systems to ensure compliance with vulnerable workers obligations.
- Recovering significant compensation for a large Australian stevedoring company in proceedings against a union relating to unlawful industrial action.
- Representing a number of law firm partners in defending post-employment restraints of trade proceedings commenced by their former firms. Ben has advised numerous clients in relation to post-employment restraint disputes, including in connection with disputes involving international transfers, restraints governed by foreign law, and litigation in multiple jurisdictions.
- Advising large employers on sensitive workplace conduct/behaviour investigations.
- Advising on sensitive senior executive and senior leadership team issues, including negotiated departures.
- Advising on complex wage compliance projects.
- Representing numerous employers in award review proceedings.
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
12/12/2024
Seyfarth Ranked as Australia’s Only Band 1 Firm in Employment & Safety in Both New South Wales and Victoria by Chambers Asia Pacific for 2025
-
Blog Post
Apr 29, 2024
Revisiting Homer’s drinking bird: Navigating remote work and automation
-
Blog Post
Mar 4, 2024
The next ten years: Seyfarth’s partners discuss the future of employment and workplace safety law in Australia
-
Blog Post
Feb 28, 2024
A decade in Australia: Seyfarth’s partners reflect on changes in employment and workplace safety law
- Rated Band 3 in Chambers Asia Pacific for Employment (2019-2025)
- Recognised by Best Lawyers Australia for Labour & Employment Law (2014-2025)
- Recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Next Generation Partner for Labour and Employment (2023-2024)
- Rated Recommended in Employment Law by Doyle’s Guide (2017-2024)
- Recognised by International Employment Lawyer Global Elite (2022-2023)
- Law Society of New South Wales
- Author, "Revisiting Homer’s drinking bird: Navigating remote work and automation," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 30, 2024)
- Co-Author, “The next ten years: Seyfarth’s partners discuss the future of employment and workplace safety law in Australia,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 5, 2024)
- Co-Author, “A decade in Australia: Seyfarth’s partners reflect on changes in employment and workplace safety law,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 29, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Is the Qantas v TWU decision the death knell for outsourcing?," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 14, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Closing loopholes or throwing lifelines…," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 13, 2023)
- Co-Author, "What do the Jamsek and Personnel Contracting High Court cases really mean for the future of contracts and the performance of work?," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 28, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Preparing for the “Great Resignation” and remote employee departures," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 20, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Coaching emerging leaders during COVID-19," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2020)
- Co-Author, "5 years on – in human resources, industrial relations and workplace health and safety law," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2018)
- Co-Author, “3 tips for effective restraints of trade,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 6, 2018)
- Co-Author, “Enterprise bargaining: can employers still grow a forest from a few seeds?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 15, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Proposal to outlaw “unrepresentative” enterprise agreements – when will an enterprise agreement be undone?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 19, 2017)
- Author, “The future of work: managing a workforce that is away half the year,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 10, 2017)
- Author, “The future of work: when will I be able to pay employees in Bitcoin?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 3, 2017)
- Author, “The future of work: using the gig economy to your advantage,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 26, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Every breath you take, every move you make – the future of measuring workplace productivity,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 14, 2016)
- Author, “The future of work: avoiding the nuclear reactor bird,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 18, 2016)
- Author, “The future of work – what are the lessons for employers?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2016)
- Co-Author, “Love me tender – how IR is a key point of difference,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 26, 2016)
- Co-Author, “Are you on the right path with interns?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 6, 2016)
- Author, “Will the ‘joint employment’ concept take hold in Australia?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 28, 2015)
- Author, “The top 3 HR issues in the retail industry,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 20, 2015)
- Co-Author, “The latest challenges in health and safety in the mining industry,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 17, 2015)
- Co-Author, “Learning from a competitive aviation industry,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 18, 2015)
- Author, “Flying through change – knowing and planning for contingencies,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 15, 2015)
- Co-Author, “Achieving change – active employee engagement is crucial,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 22, 2015)
- Author, “Have you applied the ‘Clarkson test’?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 2, 2015)
- Author, “Are union members protected if they misbehave while participating in union activities?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 16, 2014)
- Author, “Avoiding redundancies: retirement and resignation,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 12, 2014)
- Author, “Avoiding redundancies: redeployment and contractor use,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 11, 2014)
- Author, “Avoiding redundancies: changing working hours,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2014)
- Author, “Avoiding redundancies: reducing or refusing bonuses,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 9, 2014)
- Author, “Avoiding redundancies: salary and hiring freeze,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 8, 2014)
- Author, “5 ways in 5 days to manage your labour costs while avoiding redundancies,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 5, 2014)
- Author, “Who will score from the ‘penalty’ spot?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 23, 2014)
- Author, “Productivity Commission to review workplace laws,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 11, 2014)
- Author, “Navigating the trust and confidence minefield,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 17, 2014)
- Co-Author, “Another round of modern award reviews coming in 2014,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 6, 2014)
- Author, “Obligation to consult about changes to rosters and hours of work,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 22, 2014)
- Co-Author, “7 top tips to successfully manage bullying complaints,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 9, 2014)
Ben uses his strategic and commercial acumen to help major employers solve their complex, high-stakes employment and industrial law challenges.
More About Ben
Employment and industrial relations are complex and continually changing areas of the law that require a high degree of technical knowledge, matched with a commercial, practical, and responsive approach to solving problems. To navigate the best course, clients need to balance employment and industrial risks against commercial and market pressures. Ben draws on his depth of skills and legal experience to assist clients with charting the right course through these matters.
With more than two decades of experience, Ben has acted for leading employers across almost all major industries in Australia, in all the courts and tribunals, and in relation to the full spectrum of employment and industrial disputes that might arise. When employers are facing potentially costly and difficult matters, they turn to Ben to help them navigate these issues to achieve the best resolutions for their legal goals. Ben is particularly adept at helping clients successfully deal with contentious collective bargaining, individual employment disputes, and post-employment restraint of trade issues.
As a founding partner of Seyfarth’s Australian practice, Ben is an integral part of Seyfarth’s international employment team and provides support to multinational companies on a broad range of employment law issues that span the United States and Asia Pacific. Having worked for many blue-chip employers in high-profile disputes, Ben has unique insight into the legal challenges that arise in relation to complex employment and industrial matters.
Ben surpasses expectations for accurate, speedy, and concise legal advice by using a hands-on approach in each client matter.
Our Australian practice operates as Seyfarth Shaw Australia, an unincorporated legal practice. Legal services provided by Seyfarth Shaw Australia are provided only by the Australian legal practitioner partners and employees of Seyfarth Shaw Australia.
With more than two decades of experience, Ben has acted for leading employers across almost all major industries in Australia, in all the courts and tribunals, and in relation to the full spectrum of employment and industrial disputes that might arise. When employers are facing potentially costly and difficult matters, they turn to Ben to help them navigate these issues to achieve the best resolutions for their legal goals. Ben is particularly adept at helping clients successfully deal with contentious collective bargaining, individual employment disputes, and post-employment restraint of trade issues.
As a founding partner of Seyfarth’s Australian practice, Ben is an integral part of Seyfarth’s international employment team and provides support to multinational companies on a broad range of employment law issues that span the United States and Asia Pacific. Having worked for many blue-chip employers in high-profile disputes, Ben has unique insight into the legal challenges that arise in relation to complex employment and industrial matters.
Ben surpasses expectations for accurate, speedy, and concise legal advice by using a hands-on approach in each client matter.
Our Australian practice operates as Seyfarth Shaw Australia, an unincorporated legal practice. Legal services provided by Seyfarth Shaw Australia are provided only by the Australian legal practitioner partners and employees of Seyfarth Shaw Australia.
- LLB, University of Sydney
First class honours
- BEc, University of Sydney
Economics and AccountingFirst class honours
- An Australian legal practitioner admitted in New South Wales
Related Services
Related Regions
Blogs
- Advised and represented large employers, including several media organisations and an airline in enterprise bargaining projects, including by providing strategic industrial relations advice in the face of protracted and contentious negotiations and, in some cases, participating in arbitration proceedings.
- Assisted a large Australian roadside assistance company establishing processes and systems to ensure compliance with vulnerable workers obligations.
- Recovering significant compensation for a large Australian stevedoring company in proceedings against a union relating to unlawful industrial action.
- Representing a number of law firm partners in defending post-employment restraints of trade proceedings commenced by their former firms. Ben has advised numerous clients in relation to post-employment restraint disputes, including in connection with disputes involving international transfers, restraints governed by foreign law, and litigation in multiple jurisdictions.
- Advising large employers on sensitive workplace conduct/behaviour investigations.
- Advising on sensitive senior executive and senior leadership team issues, including negotiated departures.
- Advising on complex wage compliance projects.
- Representing numerous employers in award review proceedings.
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
12/12/2024
Seyfarth Ranked as Australia’s Only Band 1 Firm in Employment & Safety in Both New South Wales and Victoria by Chambers Asia Pacific for 2025
-
Blog Post
Apr 29, 2024
Revisiting Homer’s drinking bird: Navigating remote work and automation
-
Blog Post
Mar 4, 2024
The next ten years: Seyfarth’s partners discuss the future of employment and workplace safety law in Australia
-
Blog Post
Feb 28, 2024
A decade in Australia: Seyfarth’s partners reflect on changes in employment and workplace safety law
- Rated Band 3 in Chambers Asia Pacific for Employment (2019-2025)
- Recognised by Best Lawyers Australia for Labour & Employment Law (2014-2025)
- Recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Next Generation Partner for Labour and Employment (2023-2024)
- Rated Recommended in Employment Law by Doyle’s Guide (2017-2024)
- Recognised by International Employment Lawyer Global Elite (2022-2023)
- Law Society of New South Wales
- Author, "Revisiting Homer’s drinking bird: Navigating remote work and automation," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 30, 2024)
- Co-Author, “The next ten years: Seyfarth’s partners discuss the future of employment and workplace safety law in Australia,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 5, 2024)
- Co-Author, “A decade in Australia: Seyfarth’s partners reflect on changes in employment and workplace safety law,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 29, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Is the Qantas v TWU decision the death knell for outsourcing?," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 14, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Closing loopholes or throwing lifelines…," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 13, 2023)
- Co-Author, "What do the Jamsek and Personnel Contracting High Court cases really mean for the future of contracts and the performance of work?," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 28, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Preparing for the “Great Resignation” and remote employee departures," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 20, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Coaching emerging leaders during COVID-19," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2020)
- Co-Author, "5 years on – in human resources, industrial relations and workplace health and safety law," Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2018)
- Co-Author, “3 tips for effective restraints of trade,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 6, 2018)
- Co-Author, “Enterprise bargaining: can employers still grow a forest from a few seeds?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 15, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Proposal to outlaw “unrepresentative” enterprise agreements – when will an enterprise agreement be undone?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 19, 2017)
- Author, “The future of work: managing a workforce that is away half the year,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 10, 2017)
- Author, “The future of work: when will I be able to pay employees in Bitcoin?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 3, 2017)
- Author, “The future of work: using the gig economy to your advantage,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 26, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Every breath you take, every move you make – the future of measuring workplace productivity,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 14, 2016)
- Author, “The future of work: avoiding the nuclear reactor bird,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 18, 2016)
- Author, “The future of work – what are the lessons for employers?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2016)
- Co-Author, “Love me tender – how IR is a key point of difference,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 26, 2016)
- Co-Author, “Are you on the right path with interns?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 6, 2016)
- Author, “Will the ‘joint employment’ concept take hold in Australia?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 28, 2015)
- Author, “The top 3 HR issues in the retail industry,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 20, 2015)
- Co-Author, “The latest challenges in health and safety in the mining industry,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 17, 2015)
- Co-Author, “Learning from a competitive aviation industry,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 18, 2015)
- Author, “Flying through change – knowing and planning for contingencies,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 15, 2015)
- Co-Author, “Achieving change – active employee engagement is crucial,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 22, 2015)
- Author, “Have you applied the ‘Clarkson test’?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 2, 2015)
- Author, “Are union members protected if they misbehave while participating in union activities?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 16, 2014)
- Author, “Avoiding redundancies: retirement and resignation,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 12, 2014)
- Author, “Avoiding redundancies: redeployment and contractor use,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 11, 2014)
- Author, “Avoiding redundancies: changing working hours,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2014)
- Author, “Avoiding redundancies: reducing or refusing bonuses,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 9, 2014)
- Author, “Avoiding redundancies: salary and hiring freeze,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 8, 2014)
- Author, “5 ways in 5 days to manage your labour costs while avoiding redundancies,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 5, 2014)
- Author, “Who will score from the ‘penalty’ spot?,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 23, 2014)
- Author, “Productivity Commission to review workplace laws,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 11, 2014)
- Author, “Navigating the trust and confidence minefield,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 17, 2014)
- Co-Author, “Another round of modern award reviews coming in 2014,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 6, 2014)
- Author, “Obligation to consult about changes to rosters and hours of work,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 22, 2014)
- Co-Author, “7 top tips to successfully manage bullying complaints,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 9, 2014)