Karen Watson

Deputy Crown Solicitor

As the Deputy Crown Solicitor of Crown Law's Public Law Branch, Karen is responsible for three legal teams and is a member of Crown Law’s Strategic Leadership Team.

Karen provides legal advice to the highest levels of government, particularly with regard to significant and sensitive workplace law matters. She has an unsurpassed depth of experience and knowledge in Queensland Government public law, employment and discrimination law, disciplinary matters and statutory interpretation.

In addition, Karen has developed and delivered many practical training sessions for agencies across government and presented at legal conferences including the Queensland Law Society Government Lawyers’ Conference and the Crown Law Legal Conference.

Karen’s experience includes:

  • advising on, drafting and interpreting contracts of employment including appointment, suspension, discipline and termination
  • advising on discipline matters and ill-health retirement
  • advising on employment, anti-discrimination law and industrial issues and on the existence and exercise of statutory powers and functions
  • acting for government agencies in matters before the Crime and Corruption Commission
  • acting in anti-discrimination, employment and disciplinary matters
  • advising on appeals under the Public Service Act 2008
  • advising on managing the risk of workplace bullying
  • advising on work health and safety
  • representing government agencies in industrial disputes and unfair dismissal claims
  • advising on contractual disputes
  • advising on the application of industrial instruments to government workers.