Allens’ ‘exceptionally strong competition and trade practice‘ has expertise in advising on complex Australian and global transactions, with standout experience of energy transition matters. Jacqueline Downes heads the national competition, consumer and regulatory group from Sydney, where antitrust expert Fiona Crosbie is also based, along with Carolyn Oddie, who handles both contentious and non-contentious matters in Australia and across South East Asia, and Felicity McMahon, whose client base includes major corporations and private equity firms. In Melbourne, competition and consumer law specialist Rosannah Healy handles complex ACCC and regulatory investigations as well as merger clearances, while Robert Walker handles compliance matters and high profile ACCC merger clearances both domestically and globally. Ted Hill retired in September 2023.

The Ashurst competition team offers ‘strategic and practical advice‘ to its high profile clients in their complex, often multi-jurisdictional matters. The team has experience of merger clearance, authorisations and market inquiries, cartels and regulatory investigations, recommended for its ‘focus on client outcomes‘ throughout. Sydney-based practice head Melissa Fraser is ‘exceptional‘: ‘ technically brilliant’ with ‘a commercial and practical lens at all times’, Fraser is a go-to for ACCC merger clearance. Peter Armitage, ‘a legend of competition law‘ also in Sydney, specialises in defending clients in high-profile ACCC litigation, while Ross Zaurrini is noted for his work managing the closing investigations without enforcement action – Tihana Zuk is also sought-after for these matters. Justin Jones leads the Victoria competition practice from Melbourne, with stand-out crossover expertise in energy regulation. The Brisbane team includes Alyssa Phillips, who is ‘very experienced in the mergers space’. 

Offering ‘strong competition law expertise delivered with pragmatism‘, the competition team at Clayton Utz in Sydney has a track record acting in complex, high-profile M&A matters, both domestic and international cartel cases, and infrastructure access and regulation. Bruce Lloyd heads both the competition practice and the firm’s regulated industries group, bringing extensive experience of infrastructure, telecommunications, media and technology. For ACCC merger control, cartels and leniency matters, Michael Corrigan is an established expert, while Kirsten Webb is a ‘standout partner’ in anti-trust litigation, merger clearance, and ACCC investigations. Adrian Kuti‘s practice focuses on regulatory investigations, enforcement actions and class action representative proceedings. The team’s sector expertise spans energy, financial services, aviation, transport and logistics, and digital platforms.

Recommended for its ‘deep insight into the digital sector‘, Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s competition and trade practice has longstanding experience working with high-profile technology industry clients. Its expertise includes work in the development of competition class actions in Australia. Mark McCowan heads the competition practice from Sydney, with work including merger clearances, major investigations and inquiries, and litigation. Also in Sydney, Andrew Korbel is head of trade, working with producers, importers, exporters and industry bodies in complex commercial disputes. Ian Reynolds is the go-to in Melbourne, noted for his international merger clearance work and often supporting the firm’s corporate and M&A teams. Sydney-based Richard Flitcroft is praised for his ‘industry knowledge’. 

Gilbert + Tobin‘s ‘extremely deep competition practice’ regularly handles its clients’ most critical merger clearances, enforcement matters, market studies and authorisations. Elizabeth Avery heads the competition, consumer and market regulation practice group from Sydney, an established competition expert ‘top of the game‘ across both Australia and internationally. Charles Coorey, also in Sydney, has particular experience advising private equity firms on complex merger clearance applications and enforcement matters, while Louise Klamka is recommended as an ‘exceptional technical lawyer‘, experienced handling ACCC investigations, cartel prosecutions and immunity applications, including in a criminal context. Haidee Leung ‘stands out with her insights into ACCC practice‘.  In Melbourne, Simon Muys is the go-to for strategic competition litigation, including cartel matters.

The competition, regulation and trade team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP combines experience of the financial services, energy, infrastructure and transport, TMT, and consumer industries to advise on complex mergers, ACCC enforcement, and market regulation matters. Linda Evans heads the team from Sydney, with particular expertise regarding contentious matters and third party access. Patrick Gay is sought after for his work on complex merger clearance and enforcement issues, with a focus on the consumer products and pharma/healthcare sectors, while Stephanie Panayi draws on experience in the financial services sector to advise on vertical and horizontal competition issues in M&A transactions.

Praised for its 'deep bench strength in competition law', King & Wood Mallesons fields a number of experts offering 'a good perception of the ACCC's likely view on a transaction'. Clients in the telecommunications, technology, energy, and transport sectors seek out Sydney-based team head Luke Woodward, who is often instructed for strategic advice regarding mergers and investigations. Peta Stevenson is another key name in Sydney, leading the competition litigation team, while Wayne Leach is the go-to for major technology companies, and Tamara Hunter specialises in ACCC investigations and litigation. In Melbourne, Caroline Coops is 'trusted with the most complex matters' from company-transforming strategic transactions to ACCC litigation defence, Lisa Huett is 'a valued adviser' to clients experiencing regulatory investigations, and Simon Cooke is noted for his energy sector expertise.

The competition and consumer team at Baker McKenzie is particularly experienced in ACCC investigations and enforcement actions, acting for both commercial clients and the ACCC. Team head Georgina Foster, based in Sydney, has experience acting for immunity applicants, and advises on issues related to joint ventures, strategic alliances, and cartel conduct. Also in Sydney, Lynsey Edgar co-heads the firm’s competition litigation taskforce alongside complex merger clearance matters. Helen Joyce has experience acting for the ACCC in consumer law cases, working from Melbourne office.

‘A go-to firm for regulatory investigations and enforcement litigation‘, Johnson Winter Slattery advises clients across the grocery, aviation, energy and resources sectors handling issues such as cartels, mergers, misuse of market power, and access to infrastructure cases. Sar Katdare, ‘a highly valued source of advice and counsel’, heads the team from Sydney, handling major merger matters, criminal and civil cartels. Katdare works alongside longstanding expert Aldo Nicotra, recommended for his ‘commercial approach‘ in high-profile ACCC investigations and prosecutions.

Minter Ellison fields a 'collaborative team with strong expertise' in its competition, risk and regulatory team, handling domestic and international matters. Geoff Carter heads the national competition law team from Melbourne, advising on high profile merger clearance and cartel matters. Miranda Noble, also in Melbourne, leads Australian aspects of major global transactions. In Sydney, Paul Schoff focuses on the interface between ESG and competition law, while Haydn Flack handles ACCC merger clearance and behavioural matters.

Offering ‘deep technical expertise, pragmatic and commercially considered advice’, Norton Rose Fulbright‘s antitrust and competition team advises on complex merger clearances, major investigations, and high profile regulatory matters. The competition practice is co-headed by Nick McHugh and Martyn Taylor in Sydney, with Taylor also co-heading the trade team with Jo Feldman, based in Perth. McHugh often advises on ACCC investigations across the spectrum of competition law. Also in Sydney, Claire Forster handles a range of enforcement, behavioural and merger control work.

A ‘go-to‘ firm ‘for competition legal issues in Australia as well as across APAC region’, A&O Shearman stands out for its cross-border capabilities in the region, working closely with colleagues in Hong Kong and China. Its sector expertise spans digital, energy, financial services, and consumer products. Team head Peter McDonald, in Sydney, is an ‘excellent operator’ with longstanding experience of the market; Lisa Emanuel is recommended for her ‘dedication and ability to digest difficult legal issues’.

DLA Piper‘s Melbourne-based competition team acts for major companies and regulatory bodies, with particular experience advising the ACCC in sensitive, often high-profile matters. Its expertise spans merger clearances, cartel investigations, and misuse of dominance issues. Team head Simon Uthmeyer handles both advisory and contentious matters including the economic regulation of infrastructure monopolies. Fleur Gibbons is experienced in economic regulatory proceedings, while John Fogarty is a litigation go-to.

The 'excellent competition law team' at Jones Day regularly handles complex, multijurisdictional merger clearances; cartel investigations; and regulatory enforcement with industry strength across energy, infrastructure, mining and resources, digital platforms, aviation and transport, and financial services. 'Expert in competition law' Prudence Smith has in-depth experience of the ACCC, co-heading the team from Sydney with Melbourne-based 'leading lawyer' Matthew Bull, a go-to for clients in the energy and resources sectors.

Ayman Guirguis heads the antitrust, competition and trade regulation team at K&L Gates from Sydney, leveraging significant regulatory expertise to support clients through regulatory investigations, immunity applications and anti-competitive allegations. Guirguis’ practice involves merger clearance, investigations defence, and compliance advisory services. Jessica Mandla is also a key name in the team and frequently supports clients in investigations by the ACC and prosecutions by the Federal Court.

Made up of the ‘smartest, brightest and best legal minds’, Arnold Bloch Leibler‘s competition practice offers ‘bespoke legal services‘ to clients with a focus on regulatory investigations and disputes. Zaven Mardirossian heads the team from Melbourne, recommended for his ‘sharp analytical skills‘ and experienced in the retail, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and online markets. For cartels, misuse of market power, and consumer protection, Matthew Lees is the go-to.

The competition and regulatory team at Bird & Bird takes a ‘commercial and practical approach‘ to its practice, handling investigations, immunity and leniency applications, regulation of monopolies, joint ventures, and merger clearances. Thomas Jones heads the team from Sydney, ‘a leader is his field’ bringing particular expertise in the technology and communications sectors and experience of ACCC investigations.

The Clifford Chance competition team's 'knowledge, expertise, clear and pragmatic advice sets it apart from its competitors', working alongside its global colleagues to support clients through M&A transactions, regulatory investigations, and cartel matters. Sydney-based Elizabeth Richmond heads the team, a go-to for antitrust litigation including class actions. Dual-qualified New York lawyer Mark Grime is recommended for his enforcement and mergers experience.

'Deep experience and sound judgment' characterise the competition practice at Mills Oakley, which has notable expertise regarding cartel litigation. Its clients span the telecommunications, technology, manufacturing, retail and financial services industries. A 'true partner to the inhouse counsel and the business', Sydney-based team head Kathryn Edghill provides 'top quality commercial legal advice and solutions'.

Moulis Legal's international trade team provides 'top-notch expertise' in WTO remedies, dispute settlement, export control, trade-related intellectual property, and foreign investment approvals. Charles Zhan heads the international trade team from Canberra, while Daniel Moulis, Canberra, and Alistair Bridges, Adelaide, head the firm's competition offering. Anti-dumping is a key area of expertise for the team, advising companies based in Europe, the US, and Asia.