Allens’ class actions team is highly regarded in Australia, with vast experience across shareholder, financial services, consumer and environmental claims. Co-led by Melbourne-based partner Belinda Thompson and Alex Tolliday in Sydney, the group is known for handling high-stakes and multi-party proceedings and for shaping industry thinking through its annual Class Action Risk Report. Clients highlight the team's 'commercial and strategic advice and excellent matter management’. Other key figures include Ross Drinnan, Kim Reid, Malcolm Stephens and Andrew Maher, who excel in complex cases in highly regulated sectors. In recent developments, the practice promoted Joshua Anderson to partner in July 2025, signalling ongoing investment in its next generation of leaders.

Ashurst is a leading force in Australian class actions, acting for both plaintiffs and defendants in shareholder, financial services, consumer and employment disputes. The practice is distinguished by its role in shaping key procedural developments, including challenges to conventional positions on common fund orders and group costs regimes. The Sydney-based Ian Bolster, head of the practice, is recognised as one of the country’s foremost class actions specialists, praised for bringing ‘exceptional insight into legal strategy and practice’. John Pavlakis is noted for his deep expertise in shareholder and consumer class actions as well as disputes against government entities, while Nicholas Mavrakis is active in financial services and regulatory disputes. Mark Bradley is increasingly active in complex commercial and financial services cases. Sally-Anne Stewart and Ellena Cavell are names to note at the senior associate level.

Clayton Utz‘s class action defence practice stands out for its ‘deep sector expertise, client-focused approach, and commitment to delivering commercially sound legal solutions‘. It is regularly involved in complex, high-stakes class actions, with standout depth in product liability, automotive, pharmaceutical and financial services cases. Commercial litigation is co-chaired by Greg Williams and Ross McInnes, who shape strategy on the firm’s largest mandates. Alexandra Rose is prominent across medical devices and automotive disputes, while Andrew Morrison is a leading figure in large consumer and public-sector claims. Scott Grahame handles competition and financial services litigation, and Katie Wood is a key name for technology and financial services matters. Senior associates Sheena McKie and Blair McEwan are also noted.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is a go-to defence firm for high-stakes class actions, noted for its experience across complex securities, consumer, competition and public sector cases. The practice is led by Jason Betts, a standout in shareholder actions, with Damian Grave excelling in funding and defence strategy and Ante Golem bringing depth in construction and natural resources cases. Elizabeth Poulos is prominent in energy and product liability matters, Aoife Xuereb focuses on product liability and financial services, and Melissa Gladstone navigates emerging privacy and ESG claims.

King & Wood Mallesons has a standout track record in class actions, drawing on the firm's broader knowledge of the commercial, regulatory and financial landscapes in which disputes arise. The group represents both plaintiffs and defendants in some of the most high-profile matters in the jurisdiction, spanning shareholder, consumer, financial services and product liability claims. Practice leader Matthew Swinn is supported by the Sydney-based Moira Saville and Alexander Morris, both recognised for their expertise in high-stakes commercial and regulatory disputes. Melbourne-based partner Domenic Gatto is noted for guiding corporates through ‘bet the company’ litigation, while Sydney’s Peta Stevenson stands out in competition-related class actions. Other names to note include Emma Costello, Liam Burgess, Amanda Engels and Eleanor Atkins.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth, noted for its 'exceptional attention to detail’, has a strong reputation for defending major corporates, professional services firms and global technology companies in their most significant and high-profile disputes. The practice is led by Sydney-based partner Chris Pagent, described by a client as ‘the market leader’, with support from commercial litigation head Mark Wilks, who is regularly instructed on complex mandates in the natural resources, financial services and technology industries. Katrina Sleiman and Frieda Chan continue to build strong reputations in disclosure, professional services and technology-driven class actions, while senior associate Teagan Lewis is highlighted for her work in the automotive sector. The practice saw the departure of Brad Woodhouse in August 2025.

Johnson Winter Slattery is noted for its ability to act on both sides of complex disputes. The practice is led by the Sydney-based Mark Easton, who brings over two decades of experience in high-value disputes, and Paul Reidy, a market stalwart described as ‘very experienced' and 'commercial’. Robert Johnston brings a 'strong intuitive grasp of legal and strategic issues', and Frances Dreyer 'understands the commercial issues which her clients face'. Andreas Piesiewicz has taken lead roles on some of the firm’s most high-profile mandates. Clients note the firm’s ‘collaborative and open-minded approach’. The team expanded in 2025 with the arrival of Sophie Dawson from Bird & Bird.

Phi Finney McDonald is a boutique litigation firm specialising exclusively in class actions, praised as 'true specialists in the field'. The firm is particularly strong in securities cases, and is also expanding its competition and consumer class actions work. Managing partner Ben Phi is regarded as an 'excellent legal strategist', and Tim Finney is 'very knowledgeable about class actions and securities laws and communicates well'. Odette McDonald brings deep plaintiff-side experience.

Baker McKenzie fields ‘a group of highly specialised litigators who operate with a lean team in a very commercial and responsive manner’. Paul Forbes and Ryan Grant are regarded as ‘approachable, easy going and highly effective partners’, with Grant adding subject matter expertise in technology and media cases, while practice heads Mark Chapple and Peter Lucarelli bring deep securities and funded claims experience. Special counsel Jayme-Lyn Hendriks is also highly regarded. Amy Middlebrook left the firm in February 2025.

Banton Group is a plaintiff-focused boutique renowned for shareholder class actions involving shareholder securities claims, misleading financial disclosures, corporate collapses and complex financial products disputes. Amanda Banton leads the team and represents investors and liquidators against directors, auditors and global rating agencies. Elliott Smith represents shareholders in continuous disclosure and forecasting claims against ASX-listed companies and Melissa Morgan is active in fiduciary duty claims.

Gilbert + Tobin has 'excellent experience in the class actions space' and as such is regularly instructed on disputes with significant commercial and reputational stakes. The department is led by 'master strategist' Richard Harris. Colleen Platford brings more than three decades of experience acting for corporates and directors in complex disputes, while Crispian Lynch and Rebecca Spigelman add specialist strength across securities, consumer and international claims.

Minter Ellison has a well-established class actions practice with deep experience across shareholder, product liability and consumer disputes. The team is jointly led by James Beaton in Sydney, head of disputes, and Beverley Newbold, who focuses on defending complex shareholder and regulatory class actions for listed corporates and government entities. David Taylor is noted for his expertise in loss assessment and damages quantification, while senior associate Jacky Wong plays a central role in high-profile matters.

The national class actions practice at Piper Alderman is known for handling competition, consumer, financial services, automotive and securities claims. The team is highlighted for its ‘deep experience’ and ‘strategic thinking’, under the leadership of Martin del Gallego in Sydney. Other key figures include 'sophisticated litigation strategist' Greg Whyte, particularly for competition cases; 'diligent, focussed and highly motivated partner' Kate Sambrook for financial services and investor claims; and the 'fearless, commercial and pragmatic' Lillian Rizio for multi-party disputes and insurance matters.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is distinguished by its track record acting for both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes securities, product liability, consumer and government liability disputes. Co-headed by Damian Scattini, who represents claimants in business interruption and public authority negligence matters, and Michelle Fox, who defends automotive groups in consumer guarantee claims, the team also handles shareholder claims alleging misleading disclosures and defends manufacturers in multi-jurisdictional defective product proceedings. Matthew Mackenzie represents consumers in landmark vehicle defect litigation and corporates in regulatory enforcement actions, and Meagan Bertolatti is active in plaintiff-side shareholder and product liability claims.

Shine Lawyers’ class actions team is one of the largest in Australia, counting over 50 lawyers across three states. The group has been prominent in high-profile and sensitive matters spanning consumer, employment, product liability, environmental, financial services and shareholder disputes. Joint heads Vicky Antzoulatos and Craig Allsopp are widely recognised for their depth of expertise, while Sarah Thomson and Kione Johnson add further bench strength through their work on First Nations and large-scale commercial class actions.

Arnold Bloch Leibler has a respected class actions practice, regularly engaged on high-value, complex and sensitive disputes involving consumer, financial services, shareholder and public interest claims. The group continues to advise leading corporates and institutions on closely scrutinised class actions. The team is led by Melbourne-based litigator Leon Zwier, with support from Sydney-based partner John Mitchell, who manages key shareholder and consumer disputes. Teresa Ward specialises in competition and financial services litigation, navigating regulatory challenges, and Stephen Lloyd focuses on insolvency and commercial disputes.

Clyde & Co LLP’s class actions team advises insurers and corporates on complex disputes in the insurance, maritime and financial services sectors. Gareth Horne leads on high-value litigation with deep expertise in financial lines and business interruption claims, and Ernest Van Buuren manages maritime and regulatory disputes. Chris Smith oversees directors’ and officers’ liability matters, and Jenny Thornton handles Perth-based litigation. In 2025, Janine Clark joined from Kennedys, bringing further expertise in casualty and professional indemnity claims.

Colin Biggers & Paisley's Sydney-based class actions practice is renowned for defending insurers and corporations in securities, construction defects, medical negligence and underpayment claims. Michael Russell represents insurers and ASX-listed companies in shareholder proceedings arising from corporate collapses and misleading disclosures. Adrian Konstantinidis represents developers and investment managers, while Greg Skehan represents major insurers in multi-party infrastructure and product liability disputes. Susannah Maclaren represents financial institutions in remediation and coverage matters.

DLA Piper’s class actions team handles complex, high-profile disputes across consumer, financial services, product liability and mass tort claims, drawing on a national bench and global reach. The practice is led by Brisbane-based partner Liam Prescott, who drives strategic litigation in energy and natural resources, and the Melbourne-based Kieran O’Brien, who brings extensive expertise in mass tort and shareholder disputes. Sydney partner Cameron Scholes is noted for multi-party litigation and regulatory matters.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s class actions group is led by Melbourne-based partner Cameron Harvey, head of litigation and global head of consumer markets. The team leverages the firm's national footprint and international network to advise across consumer, government and financial services sectors, with notable expertise in franchising and product liability disputes. Nigel Jones is highly regarded for his focus on brand management and franchising matters, while Ann Donohue brings expertise in financial regulatory investigations and long-running disputes. Kate Green is recognised for her work on complex ‘bet-the-company’ proceedings.

Wotton Kearney’s class actions team is led by Amanda Beattie in Sydney, recognised for her extensive defence work across financial services, professional services and government-related disputes. The group combines commercial litigators and insurance specialists, giving clients a dual perspective on litigation strategy and risk. Key figures include Edward O’Brien in Melbourne, who has significant experience in shareholder and financial services disputes, and managing partner Cain Jackson, an authority on securities class actions.