Melanie Smith
About Melanie Smith
Melanie Smith is a Senior Manager at KPMG Australia, specializing in Leadership, Performance, and Reward. She has extensive experience in employment law, having held various roles in notable firms and organizations, and has a strong background in workplace management and corporate governance.
Work at KPMG Australia
Melanie Smith serves as a Senior Manager at KPMG Australia within the 3dc division, focusing on Leadership, Performance, and Reward. She has held this position since 2019 and is based in Melbourne. In her role, she conducts workplace investigations and provides training on workplace management. Her expertise includes advising on employment implications related to business sales and transfers, which reflects her strategic approach to corporate governance.
Previous Employment Experience
Prior to her current role, Melanie Smith worked at Arnold Bloch Leibler as a Senior Associate in Workplace Advisory for four months in 2019. She also held positions at Herbert Smith Freehills, where she served as a Senior Associate in Employment, Industrial Relations, and Safety from 2016 to 2018. Additionally, she worked as a Senior Employee Relations Advisor at ANZ in 2013 and as a Solicitor in Employee Relations at Herbert Smith Freehills from 2012 to 2016.
Education and Expertise
Melanie Smith holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne, where she studied from 2004 to 2009. She also completed a Diploma of Modern Languages (French) during her studies. Additionally, she studied at Université Jean Moulin (Lyon III) in 2009, focusing on History and Linguistics. Her educational background supports her proficiency in employment law and workplace advisory.
Litigation and Advisory Experience
Melanie Smith has demonstrated a high level of proficiency in employment law litigation, having litigated cases in the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Court of Australia. Her advisory experience includes addressing privacy and surveillance issues, as well as providing guidance on complex employment-related matters. She has also conducted workplace investigations, showcasing her capability in managing intricate legal challenges.
Involvement with Indigenous Corporations
In 2016, Melanie Smith worked as a Secondee at Jawun Indigenous Corporate Partnerships, specifically with the Binarri-Binya Yarrawoo Indigenous Corporation for one month in Kununurra, Western Australia. This role contributed to her understanding of the unique challenges faced by Indigenous corporations and enhanced her expertise in workplace advisory.