Ben Keenan
Special CounselAbout Ben
Ben has been advising and acting for clients in both the public and private sectors and across a range of different industries on all aspects of employment, industrial relations and work health and safety law for more than 11 years.
What he does
Ben brings a commercial, outcomes-focussed approach when assisting clients with a broad range of workplace legal issues, from the drafting of complex executive employment agreements, to advising on disciplinary and termination processes and supporting and advising clients throughout the enterprise bargaining process.
Ben has a special interest and expertise in work health and safety (WHS) law, having undertaken desktop reviews of WHS management systems, drafted WHS policies and procedures, advised on the application and effect of WHS legislation and Codes of Practice and assisted clients to respond to serious WHS incidents, from the immediate incident response to the conduct of internal investigations, managing interactions with regulators and responding to prosecutions.
Who he works with
In addition to servicing a number of local and state government entities, Ben has acted for private sector employers in a diverse range of industries, including building and construction, mining, information technology, health, retail and professional services.
Qualifications
Ben holds a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts with Class 1 Honours from James Cook University.
Life before Sparkes
Ben left a promising career as a sandwich artist at Subway to practice law in his home town of Townsville, before spending time at a number of leading national law firms.
Life outside of Sparkes
Away from work, Ben is a voracious reader, an avid concert-goer and a life-long (and therefore long-suffering) Cronulla Sharks fan. Ben also has a keen interest in mixed martial arts and boxing.
