Denise has over 20 years’ experience advising businesses about workplace issues – ranging from large corporates during her time with Freehills (now Herbert Smith Freehills), to smaller sized businesses after first relocating to the Gold Coast, and now with a broad range of her own clients from start-ups to listed companies.

She believes this experience has helped her and her team hone their communication skills irrespective of whether they are speaking with people from big or small organisations. She enjoys being able to offer the premium opportunities and solutions often only utilised by larger corporates with businesses of all sizes.

Denise has particular expertise in industrial relations, employment related litigation, diversity and workplace health and safety and admits to being ‘borderline obsessional about industrial relations’: “I devour articles relating to developments in the law and use that to constantly keep my clients up to sped with what’s happening out there’.

She enjoys working collaboratively with her clients and her work is very much relationship-driven rather than transactional. Denise: “There is a strong focus on educating our clients as we go through the process of working together. This means that as they learn through the process they need us less and become more confident and comfortable dealing with employment issues because of that increased knowledge.”

Denise is originally from country Tasmania, having grown up in a big family on a small farm in the Tamar Valley (you can see the scar on her neck if you look closely…).  She is now a Mum of two rowdy young boys, a lover of wine, food, travel and politics.

Annalise has practiced exclusively in employment law since her admission in 2015, in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast. She is passionate about assisting businesses (of all sizes and varieties) in managing and minimising risks, and in doing so, developing positive, ongoing commercial relationships with clients.

Annalise has significant litigation experience, primarily in dismissal-related and post employment restraint matters. She regularly appears in the Fair Work Commission, as well as in Federal Court/Federal Circuit and Family Court proceedings. Annalise also provides advice in relation to any potential employment-related disputes, contractual matters, compliance with modern awards or enterprise agreements, employee entitlements, and work health and safety obligations.

In her free time, Annalise can most often be found at the beach or enjoying a beverage. Having grown up in California and Japan before relocating back to Australia, Annalise has a particular penchant for Californian wines and Japanese beers.

Lauren was admitted as a lawyer in 2023 after completing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Griffith University.

She has experience in a range of workplace disputes and enjoys the fast-paced and evolving nature of employment law.

Outside of work, Lauren enjoys going to the beach and spending time with her family, friends and dog.

Fiona has experience working as a commercial legal secretary in Tasmania before she relocated to the Gold Coast and joined the OWL team.

Fiona is a member of our administration and reception team who provides support to the legal team and accounts to ensure excellent client experience.

Outside of work you can find Fiona socialising with friends, doing some form of movement, or enjoying a drink.

Holly completed her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of International Relations at The University of Adelaide in 2025 and has experience as a law clerk in commercial litigation and corporate law.

She enjoys working in a client-centric environment and assisting businesses develop strategies to navigate the complex world of employment law.

In her free time, Holly can be found doing some form of endurance training, baking, or spending time with her golden retriever, Finneas.