Margherite Walsh
Managing Principal
With over 15 years in legal practice and senior management experience, Margherite brings a rare combination of legal precision and commercial pragmatism to the table. Margherite maintains a specialist focus on employment law and pairs deep technical expertise with an instinctive understanding of what actually works for businesses and individuals, not just in theory, but on the ground.
Admitted to the Legal Profession in 2010 and holding a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne (specialising in employment law), Margherite has worked with a wide range of industries, from professional services (including medical, veterinary, legal, recruitment and accounting), to agricultural and family-run enterprises, to high-net-worth individuals managing intergenerational wealth. Her advice is direct, no-nonsense, and grounded in reality. If there’s a practical issue standing in the way of her client’s success, she’ll call it out, whether it sits neatly within the legal remit or not.
Margherite has established Walsh Legal Group as a specialist employment law firm and she’s driven by a desire to reshape how legal services are delivered: fusing expert advice with hands-on support and training that equips businesses to make informed, strategic decisions.
Clients consistently praise her responsiveness, empathy, and willingness to ask the hard questions, especially in sensitive situations. She doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable conversations, and her honest, human approach builds the kind of trust that turns first-time clients into long-term trusted relationships.
When she’s not advising clients, she’s running a different kind of operation – life with four young children, a household full of dance shoes, swim bags, music rehearsals, fun and bedtime stories, shared with her husband and biggest supporter. Powered not by caffeine but by chocolate, Margherite is known to clients and friends alike as fun, happy, and fiercely loyal.
She is a full member of the Queensland Law Society and welcomes opportunities for industry connection across Australia to support businesses in achieving success.
Larissa Barwell
Lawyer
Larissa completed a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Diploma of Legal Practice at the University of Newcastle and brings a practical, down‑to‑earth approach to her work.
Larissa works closely with employers to support them across all stages of the employment relationship. She drafts and reviews employment contracts and workplace policies, ensuring they are clear, compliant and practical. Larissa also advises on employee processes, including performance management, disciplinary matters, and terminations, helping employers navigate sensitive situations with confidence and care. In the event of disputes, she assists businesses with responding to Fair Work Commission claims, including unfair dismissal, general protections, flexible work disputes and other litigious matters, with a focus on timely and commercial outcomes.
Outside of work, Larissa enjoys spending her time unwinding and staying active. She has a genuine love of cooking and enjoys experimenting with new recipes, whether it’s trying something creative or preparing a meal to share with family and friends. Living near the coast, Larissa takes full advantage of the outdoors and can often be found at the beach or out for a long walk, enjoying fresh air and time to recharge. She is also an enthusiastic pickleball and tennis player, valuing both the social side of the games and the opportunity to keep moving.
She holds a practising certificate with the Law Society of New South Wales, full membership with the Queensland Law Society, and is committed to assisting clients across Australia.