Sagorika (Rika) specialises in employment and industrial relations law.

She has a special interest in complex employment disputes such as misleading and deceptive conduct in employment, and disputes involving the interface between the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and other statutes, for example, the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic).

Rika welcomes briefs to appear in and advise on all matters involving employment and industrial relations law in Victoria and interstate. She regularly appears in the Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court.

Prior to joining the Bar, Rika worked as a legal practitioner in private practice in Australia and England ranging from boutique through to top tier law firms. As a result of her diverse experience, Rika has acted as an advocate for employee and employer clients at all levels, from individuals to multinational corporations.

Rika is passionate about human rights, speaks three languages, and has been published in the Oxford Public International Law (Online Journal) and Rapporteur.

Rika has a Master of Laws (with Distinction) from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in law, politics and international studies.

Some of Rika’s recent appearances include:

Federal Court – Appeal (unled)

Lees v Asaleo Personal Care Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 334 – costs

Fair Work Commission

Dr Madelé Van Dyk v Flinders University [2023] FWC 2301 – jurisdictional objection, maximum term contract

Mr Pawel Jan Slowinski v OS MCAP Pty Ltd [2024] FWC 412 – representative error

Patrick Garas v Culture Kings Pty Ltd [2024] FWC 505 – unfair dismissal

Other Courts

Young v Gey Van Pittius and Landman [2024] SAET 19 (22 March 2024) – penalties for contraventions of Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)

Other areas of practice

Commercial law – Rika welcomes briefs involving contractual disputes.

Rika also accepts briefs across a range of other areas including human rights, migration, and consumer law matters.