Jim Rutherford is a principal of the Harwood Andrews Lawyers’ Dispute Resolution Department. His practice focuses on the prevention and resolution of disputes faced by his clients. His approach is to listen to his clients, determine the best option to resolve the dispute and then apply his significant mediation experience to deliver results.
Jim is accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a specialist in both workplace relations law and criminal law.
He has appeared as an advocate in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Fair Work Australia, the Federal Magistrates’ Court, the Federal Court of Australia, the County Court, the Supreme Court and the Magistrates’ Court.
In particular Jim’s areas of practice focus on the following industries:
- Transport and logistics
- Accounting
- Family business
- Real estate
- Retail
- Recruitment
- Statutory authorities
Jim is respected for his knowledge and expertise regarding workplace relations issues and regularly presents to employer groups and human resources managers on employment and industrial relations matters.
Jim is a:
- Member of the Law Institute of Victoria Workplace Relations Specialisation Advisory Committee
- Member of the Workplace Relations Specialist Group
- Member of the Deakin University School of Law Academic Advisory Board
- Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
- Member of the Australian Labour Law Association
- Member of the Geelong Law Association (former president)
- Founding member and past president of The Barwon Community Legal Service
- Co-chair of the Parent Education Board of Kardinia International College