Michael Whitbread e

About Michael Whitbread e

Michael Whitbread is a subject matter expert in privacy law and AI law (globally) and employment law (Australia and New Zealand). He also supports Littler\'s skilled migration practice to Australia. Michael serves as Of Counsel in Littler\'s New York City office, supporting clients\' privacy law, AI law, market entry and employment law needs in Australia and New Zealand. He is excited to support the growth Littler\'s Al practice nationally, which assists clients judiciously to embrace the opportunities presented by this revolutionary technology. He is a licensed legal practitioner in the Australian state of New South Wales (admitted 2007), a member of the NY Bar (2018) and a solicitor in England & Wales (2022). He is experienced advising in a wide range of industries including tech, financial services (on and offshore), pharmaceuticals, retail, and SMEs, serving clients and customers in the US, Europe, the Asia-Pacific and beyond. He is an experienced 2iC to the general counsel and has a keen understanding of pressures on in-house teams, having worked for many years as senior in-house privacy counsel at financial services and FS-adjacent firms. He is an effective team leader / mentor, with engaged juniors and colleagues. He has familiarity and comfort negotiating North American, European, South African, Latin, and Asia-Pacific work cultures, and has advised on privacy laws all over the world. Michael is positioned to be a key voice as Australia progressively updates its privacy laws, and Australian employment law never stands still. He is experienced in employee relations management and workplace investigations, with strong Masters of Laws results, including \'High Distinctions\'(As) in Advanced Employment Law, Comparative Law of Evidence, and Discrimination in the Workplace. Michael is an experienced statutory officeholder in the banking and private client / institutional client services industries, and maintained constructive relations with local regulators and staff.He was honored to give back by working as Chair of the Guernsey Employment and Discrimination Tribunal. A link to one of his decisions appears here: Ellis v The States of Guernsey, acting by and through the Policy and Resources Committee (19 March 2024) https://gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=176982 & p=0 Portions of this LinkedIn profile may constitute attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Experience

1. of Counsel

   Littler

   Sep 2024 — Present · New York, NY, US

   NY privacy and AI law specialist. Background in UK data protection law and Australian employment law. • Led nationwide review of enacted and proposed AI laws across all 50 US states. • Led BD efforts to grow New York AI law practice. 3,500 LinkedIn followers. • Federal court litigation over alleged breaches of the ‘general protections’ in the Australian Fair Work Act.• Counsel over requirements of work, health and safety law, regulation and codes of practice. • Counsel over requirements of \'modern award\' system and \'enterprise agreement\'-approval process. • Prepare generative AI policies.• Review global handbooks. • Prepare global privacy notices. • Prepare codes of conduct subject to UK and US law. • Present at labor relations conferences. • Prepare skilled worker and permanent residency visa applications to Australia. • Counsel on exit strategies. • Counsel on statutory tort of serious breach of privacy. • Prepare monthly and quarterly updates on legislative developments in Australia and New Zealand. • Counsel on right to disconnect. • Attend pro bono clinics supporting asylum seeker applications. • Prepare settlement agreements.

Education

• University of Newcastle

  Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies)/Bachelor of Laws, Law, Journalism

  2000 — 2005

• The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

  Executive MBA, Business Administration and Management, General

• University of Sydney

  Master of Laws (LL.M.), Employment Law, International Law, Comparative Law

  2010 — 2011

• Kaplan Professional

  Qualified Lawyers' Transfer Scheme, Law

Skills

• Corporate Governance
• Policy
• Union
• Employment Law
• Labor Relations
• Workplace Investigations
• Workforce Planning
• Legal Compliance
• Collective Bargaining
• HR Policies
• Employee Engagement
• Industrial Relations
• Stakeholder Management
• Litigation
• Project Management
• Financial Services Industry Knowledge
• Mediation
• Compliance
• Prudential Regulation
• Performance Management
• Transfer of Entitlements
• Due Diligence
• Investigations
• Change Management
• Business Development
• Legal Advice
• Conciliations
• Employee Relations
• Union Relationship Management
• Employee Relations Advice
• Deeds of Release
• Advocacy
• Dispute Resolution
• Strategy
• Communications Management
• Grievances
• Discrimination
• Restructuring
• Adverse Action Claims
• Privacy Law