PhilippaNoakes
Partner
Employment and Industrial Relations Law
pnoakes@seyfarth.com
Philippa provides leading employers with strategic and practical legal solutions to complex and contentious industrial and employment issues while remaining consistent with their commercial, cultural and operational drivers.
More About Philippa
In a complex and evolving industrial and employment landscape, major employers are keen for legal counsel that meets their individual needs. Philippa effectively supports clients in navigating the challenges and opportunities of maintaining a compliant and productive workplace. She is also a formidable litigator when her clients are challenged in a court or tribunal.
Philippa has a wide-ranging employment and industrial relations practice working with leading employers across Australia. She counsels employers on business-critical employment and industrial matters. Although Philippa is well-versed in all aspects of employment and industrial relations law, she has particular expertise in complex restraint of trade advice and litigation and general protections claims. Clients highly regard Philippa for her ‘can do’ attitude and approach. If a client has an issue that needs to be addressed, Philippa works tirelessly and efficiently to ensure that the concern is resolved in a way that minimises risk and recognises business imperatives.
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.
Philippa has a wide-ranging employment and industrial relations practice working with leading employers across Australia. She counsels employers on business-critical employment and industrial matters. Although Philippa is well-versed in all aspects of employment and industrial relations law, she has particular expertise in complex restraint of trade advice and litigation and general protections claims. Clients highly regard Philippa for her ‘can do’ attitude and approach. If a client has an issue that needs to be addressed, Philippa works tirelessly and efficiently to ensure that the concern is resolved in a way that minimises risk and recognises business imperatives.
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.
- BA, University of Melbourne
Media and Communications - LLB, University of Melbourne
- An Australian legal practitioner admitted in New South Wales
Related Services
Related Regions
- Partners with a client in the utilities sector to provide a range of strategic industrial relations support and advice, including bargaining support for multiple agreements which involve seven unions, preparing and initiating strategic litigation as part of the bargaining strategy, including a scope order application to break a bargaining deadlock, and an employer-led dispute in relation to a historical safety issue—all with successful outcomes for the client.
- Assisted organisations in the media and retail sector during bargaining, including attending bargaining meetings as part of the bargaining team, advising on issues arising during bargaining, drafting enterprise agreements, and managing industrial action risks.
- Assisted an airline with enterprise bargaining, including providing strategic industrial relations advice in the face of protracted and contentious negotiations and preparing applications to the Fair Work Commission in relation to protracted industrial action.
- Regularly partners with a top-tier law firm in relation to complex partner and employee issues, including managing investigations regarding allegations of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Advised on restructure of partnership arrangements, and complex partner exits.
- Advised a range of clients in different industries (such as financial services, professional services, and retail sector) affected by changes in Modern Awards, which provide minimum terms and conditions for a range of industries and occupations. Acted for a client in relation to the enforcement of a post-employment restraint of a senior executive. This matter involved complex issues regarding the enforcement of restraints across various international jurisdictions.
Related News & Insights
-
Media Mentions
Feb 12, 2026
Seyfarth Again Ranked as Tier 1 Firm in Employment in Australia by Doyle’s Guide 2026; 14 Lawyers Also Highly Ranked
-
Recognition
01/16/2025
Seyfarth Ranked Tier 1 in Labor and Employment in Tier 2 in Workplace Health and Safety in Australia by The Legal 500
-
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 Recommended in Employment Law by Doyle’s Guide (2025-2026)
- Recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Next Generation Partner for Labour and Employment (2024-2025)
- Law Society of New South Wales
- 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, "International Women's Day - Insights for leading employers on how they can #EmbraceEquity in the workplace," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 8, 2023)
- Co-Author, “Insights for leading employers on how they can #EmbraceEquity in the workplace,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 7, 2023)
- Co-Author, “3 tips for effective restraints of trade,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 6, 2018)
- 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)
- 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)
Philippa provides leading employers with strategic and practical legal solutions to complex and contentious industrial and employment issues while remaining consistent with their commercial, cultural and operational drivers.
More About Philippa
In a complex and evolving industrial and employment landscape, major employers are keen for legal counsel that meets their individual needs. Philippa effectively supports clients in navigating the challenges and opportunities of maintaining a compliant and productive workplace. She is also a formidable litigator when her clients are challenged in a court or tribunal.
Philippa has a wide-ranging employment and industrial relations practice working with leading employers across Australia. She counsels employers on business-critical employment and industrial matters. Although Philippa is well-versed in all aspects of employment and industrial relations law, she has particular expertise in complex restraint of trade advice and litigation and general protections claims. Clients highly regard Philippa for her ‘can do’ attitude and approach. If a client has an issue that needs to be addressed, Philippa works tirelessly and efficiently to ensure that the concern is resolved in a way that minimises risk and recognises business imperatives.
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.
Philippa has a wide-ranging employment and industrial relations practice working with leading employers across Australia. She counsels employers on business-critical employment and industrial matters. Although Philippa is well-versed in all aspects of employment and industrial relations law, she has particular expertise in complex restraint of trade advice and litigation and general protections claims. Clients highly regard Philippa for her ‘can do’ attitude and approach. If a client has an issue that needs to be addressed, Philippa works tirelessly and efficiently to ensure that the concern is resolved in a way that minimises risk and recognises business imperatives.
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.
- BA, University of Melbourne
Media and Communications - LLB, University of Melbourne
- An Australian legal practitioner admitted in New South Wales
Related Services
Related Regions
- Partners with a client in the utilities sector to provide a range of strategic industrial relations support and advice, including bargaining support for multiple agreements which involve seven unions, preparing and initiating strategic litigation as part of the bargaining strategy, including a scope order application to break a bargaining deadlock, and an employer-led dispute in relation to a historical safety issue—all with successful outcomes for the client.
- Assisted organisations in the media and retail sector during bargaining, including attending bargaining meetings as part of the bargaining team, advising on issues arising during bargaining, drafting enterprise agreements, and managing industrial action risks.
- Assisted an airline with enterprise bargaining, including providing strategic industrial relations advice in the face of protracted and contentious negotiations and preparing applications to the Fair Work Commission in relation to protracted industrial action.
- Regularly partners with a top-tier law firm in relation to complex partner and employee issues, including managing investigations regarding allegations of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Advised on restructure of partnership arrangements, and complex partner exits.
- Advised a range of clients in different industries (such as financial services, professional services, and retail sector) affected by changes in Modern Awards, which provide minimum terms and conditions for a range of industries and occupations. Acted for a client in relation to the enforcement of a post-employment restraint of a senior executive. This matter involved complex issues regarding the enforcement of restraints across various international jurisdictions.
Related News & Insights
-
Media Mentions
Feb 12, 2026
Seyfarth Again Ranked as Tier 1 Firm in Employment in Australia by Doyle’s Guide 2026; 14 Lawyers Also Highly Ranked
-
Recognition
01/16/2025
Seyfarth Ranked Tier 1 in Labor and Employment in Tier 2 in Workplace Health and Safety in Australia by The Legal 500
-
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 Recommended in Employment Law by Doyle’s Guide (2025-2026)
- Recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Next Generation Partner for Labour and Employment (2024-2025)
- Law Society of New South Wales
- 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, "International Women's Day - Insights for leading employers on how they can #EmbraceEquity in the workplace," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 8, 2023)
- Co-Author, “Insights for leading employers on how they can #EmbraceEquity in the workplace,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 7, 2023)
- Co-Author, “3 tips for effective restraints of trade,” Workplace Law & Strategy, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 6, 2018)
- 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)
- 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)