Our Team

Graham Harbord

Director

Graham joined Johnston Withers in September 1997 and was appointed as a Director of the firm in January 2003. He works as a Barrister and Solicitor, appearing in the Federal Court, Workers Compensation Tribunal and State and Federal Industrial Commissions. As an accredited Mediator, he uses his negotiation skills to assist clients in both litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

After graduating from Adelaide University in 1976, Graham worked for the PSA, the Union for Public Servants, then joined the South Australian Government’s Unit for Industrial Democracy as Legal Advisor. He subsequently became a Policy Advisor to the Government on Industrial Relation matters including appearances in National Wage Cases.

Graham also worked in the Crown Solicitor’s Office in commercial law. He was appointed to the Workers Compensation Tribunal in 1991 where he conducted both conciliation and arbitration of Workers Compensation cases.

Graham’s main areas of practice with Johnston Withers are:

  • Workers Compensation;
  • Employment Law;
  • Anti-discrimination;
  • Native Title and other Aboriginal issues.

He acts for a number of different Aboriginal communities including the Adnyamathanha, the Kaurna and Pitjantjatjara people.

Membership of various bodies includes:

  • The Law Society of South Australia, including Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee and Member of the Industrial Relations Committee
  • Australian Lawyers Alliance
  • Amnesty International
  • Survivors of Torture and Trauma Rehabilitation Service (STTARS) (Foundation Vice President).

Graham presents papers at various conferences and publishes articles on a range of law-related topics. Click here for examples.

Personal interests include travel and hiking (having trekked in such places as the Himalayas in Nepal, the Andes in Peru and the Californian Sierras).

Favourite advice:
"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito". (The Dalai Lama)