Andrew Maher heads up the ‘competent and smart’ disputes and investigations team at Allens from Melbourne and is a particular expert regarding work in the natural resources and renewable energy industries. Large-scale commercial disputes and investigations are an area of strength for the team, with Melbourne-based Belinda Thompson a standout in this area. In Sydney, Ross Drinnan has notable expertise regarding regulatory and reputational litigation, while Kim Reid is the firm’s sector leader for banks and financial institutions, an area in which Alexandra Mason also specialises. Praised as ‘excellent to work with’, the team acts for a range of clients from regional to international, public to private companies, often in landmark cases including those involving climate issues. Guy Foster retired from practice in June 2023.

The ‘high-quality, talented advisers‘ in Ashurst‘s dispute resolution team offer a range of industry specialisms, from financial services to energy and resources. Team lead Jeremy Chenoweth, working out of both Sydney and Brisbane, is particularly sought after for energy and resources matters, along with infrastructure work. In Sydney, Andrew Carter is a key name for corporate and securities litigation, an area in which ‘outstanding litigator’ Wen-Ts’ai Lim is particularly strong, while Rani John specialises in sensitive white-collar issues. Nicholas Mavrakis, also in Sydney, is adept at regulatory work, representing both domestic and international clients. Perth-based Catherine Pedler is praised for her ‘sound judgement on complex issues‘, with expertise across the mining, energy, agribusiness and manufacturing sectors. In Melbourne, Lucinda Hill is recommended.

Greg Williams leads the ‘exceptional’ commercial litigation team at Clayton Utz; fielding expertise on matters from regulatory investigations to anti-bribery and corruption issues, the team operates across Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, where Williams is based. Matthew Spain joined the team in Melbourne from DLA Piper in May 2023, bringing his superannuation specialism and regulatory expertise to bolster the team’s existing financial services strength. In Sydney, Ross McInnes works with clients navigating major mass consumer litigation, alongside crisis management and commercial disputes more widely. Tim Donisi is a key name in Perth: having risen to partner in July 2023, he specialises in high-stakes oil and gas disputes as well as insurance disputes. Also in Perth, David Benson is recommended for his ‘deep experience’.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s commercial litigation team is a ‘well-oiled machine‘. Led by ‘standout litigator’ Mark Wilks in Sydney, it acts for a range of banks, energy and resources companies and government entities, and emphasises its lawyers' trial advocacy strength. Wilks’ practice focuses on financial services and resources disputes, especially those which are of particularly high value. Also in Sydney, Simon Johnson and senior associate Frieda Chan form a ‘dream team‘ for commercial disputes, with notable strength for both in the technology space, while James Whittaker is adept at corporate and white-collar crime work; the former is also an area of expertise for David Anthony.  Perth’s Kirsty Sutherland is noted for her capability in large-scale disputes in the energy and natural resources sector, acting for both Australian and global mining and energy companies.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘ dispute resolution team is rooted in commercial litigation expertise, and is beginning to grow in emerging sectors including ESG, TMT and cryptocurrency-related disputes. Anna Sutherland leads the team from Sydney, and is particularly sought after for her work on high-profile commercial disputes involving crisis management issues. Luke Hastings, also in Sydney, specialises in contentious regulatory work, while Hugh Paynter heads up the Sydney disputes group, conducting major strategic and finances disputes and investigations. The disputes team is led in Perth by Ante Golem, whose practice focuses on the energy and resources sector; the Melbourne group is led by banking litigation specialist Harry Edwards; and the Brisbane-based team is headed up by Elizabeth Poulos, whose international experience bolsters the team’s cross-border practice.

Mark Van Brakel leads the dispute resolution team at A&O Shearman from Perth, leveraging his experience of major contract, engineering and project disputes to support a range of clients in the energy and resources sector. Also in Perth, oil and gas disputes specialist David Jenaway is recommended for his ‘exemplary’ legal skills. Sydney-based strength includes dual US and Australian qualified Michael Shepherd, and insolvency litigation expert David Walter. The team enjoys a strong reputation in international litigation, drawing on the firm’s global network to support clients in cross-border cases.

The dispute resolution and litigation team at Arnold Bloch Leibler is ‘the best at what it does‘; work extends from complex commercial litigation to high-profile disputes which require careful media management. Team lead Leon Zwier, based in Melbourne, advises both corporates and individuals on a range of commercial disputes, while Elyse Hilton, also in Melbourne, specialises in large-scale commercial litigation with additional expertise regarding intellectual property and corporate governance disputes. In Sydney, Susanna Ford has a wealth of experience in both commercial and corporate litigation, as well as regulatory inquiries and investigations. The ‘exceptional’ Jonathan Milner and ‘excellent’ Stephen Lloyd – both in Sydney – are also recommended.

Baker McKenzie‘s dispute resolution offering fields a ‘closely-knit team with international reach’; drawing on the firm’s global offices, it acts for clients across Australia and beyond. David McCredie in Sydney heads up the team, and is valued for his ‘exceptionally careful’ manner which supports a specialism in product liability litigation. The team is particularly strong with regards to disputes in the healthcare and life sciences industries, the former a notable area of strength for Sydney-based Georgie Farrant. Accredited mediator Mark Chapple in Sydney is praised for his ‘inexhaustible commitment’, while Alex Wolff is recommended in Melbourne.

The disputes and investigations offering at Gilbert + Tobin ‘takes into account the full picture‘ with work running the full gamut of litigation advice including regulatory investigations, royal commissions and inquiries, and commercial disputes. ‘Highly experienced litigator’ Richard Harris runs the team from Sydney, specialising in contentious regulatory issues. Also in Sydney, Colleen Platford is particularly well versed in insolvency and restructuring related disputes. Melbourne-based Janet Whiting is a key contact for global corporate clients, focusing on complex commercial matters. Crispian Lynch in Sydney is also recommended.

Robert Johnston leads the Johnson Winter Slattery litigation practice in Sydney and is praised as ‘an outstanding lawyer and thinker’ who is ‘very hands on with his management of cases’. The team acts for both sides of disputes across a range of industries, from financial markets, big tech and data claims to regulation and insolvency matters. Paul Reidy, based in Sydney, is noted for his capability in class action claims, while in Melbourne, Tom Jarvis is praised for his ‘pragmatic solutions’, with experience working with a number of regulatory bodies. Frances Dreyer in Sydney specialises in claims related to financial and investment products.

Jones Day combines a ‘global team’ with ‘solid, respected regulatory relationships’ to form its global disputes team, headed up by John Cooper in Brisbane. The team has deep experience advising both global and national companies, alongside individuals, regarding regulatory enforcement actions. Cooper’s expertise encompasses major disputes and litigation across sectors including the defence, social infrastructure and energy and resources industries. Also in Brisbane, Annie Leeks is a key contact for energy sector clients. Sydney-based John Emmerig, an ‘industry great‘, is sought out for high-stakes commercial disputes; an area in which Holly Sara is also noted. Maria Yiasemides in Sydney is recommended for her ‘outstanding service‘ in complex matters.

The dispute resolution team at King & Wood Mallesons is praised for its ability to understand ‘the commercial and internal pressures‘ faced by clients. Led by Matthew Swinn in Melbourne, the team’s industry expertise spans data and cyber, insurance, and financial services claims. Moira Saville and Alexander Morris, both in Sydney, are particularly noted for their class actions expertise, which is also an area of strength for Brisbane-based Emma Costello. In Melbourne, Domenic Gatto specialises in handling regulatory proceedings for large corporates, including those which pose reputational risk.

Characterised by ‘broad industry experience that enables insightful advice’, Minter Ellison‘s dispute resolution team is led by James Beaton in Sydney. A commercial litigator with experience in regulatory investigations, Beaton represents a number of key financial services clients. In Melbourne, Ross Freeman is experienced in class actions, regulatory investigations and civil penalty proceedings, and leverages his white-collar crime experience to strengthen the team’s enforcement work. Brisbane-based Tom Fletcher is recommended for his ‘unwavering commitment‘; he is a specialist in education sector work alongside government-related dispute resolution. Beverley Newbold in Sydney has notable experience in cross-border disputes.

The litigation team at Norton Rose Fulbright pairs a sector focus on the consumer markets, energy, mining, financial services, infrastructure and technology industries with five core practice areas: complex commercial litigation and restructurings, international arbitrations, class action defence, contentious regulatory matters and investigations, and complex government litigation. The combination of these form the bedrock of the practice, which is led by Melbourne-based Cameron Harvey, who is a litigator particularly well versed in cross-border disputes. In Sydney, Grant Bonner‘s practice focuses on the Corporations Act alongside regulatory investigation work, while Brisbane-based Dylan McKimmie is a specialist within energy sector litigation.

Clifford Chance‘s litigation and dispute resolution team is ‘very commercial and practical’ in its advice, with particular strength acting for financial investors. Angela Pearsall in Sydney heads the team with Perth-based Sam Luttrell. Pearsall specialises in contentious regulatory investigations and large-scale commercial litigation, the latter is also an area of expertise for Grave. In Perth, Spencer Flay is a major projects and contentious construction specialist, advising clients across the natural resources, oil and gas, and infrastructure sectors. Naomi Griffin in Sydney is also recommended.

The commercial disputes team at Clyde & Co LLP is co-led by Lucinda Lyons and Michael Tooma in Sydney. Praised for its ‘proven track record‘ and ‘deep knowledge of the global legal finance market‘, the team has expertise spanning insurance, construction, shipping and aviation law. Lyons heads up the Australian insurance offering for the firm, covering all areas of casualty insurance law, and Tooma is sought after for specialist safety-related regulatory matters. After the research has concluded, former joint head Maurice Thompson departed in January 2024.

Praised for its ‘commercially astute and pragmatic advice’, the litigation and regulatory team at DLA Piper has expertise across a range of sectors including the energy and natural resources, infrastructure, technology and insurance industries. Cameron Maclean leads the team from Perth – also based in Perth is Richard Edwards, who co-leads the firm’s global construction disputes practice. In Sydney, Gitanjali Bajaj has particular experience in the energy sector, alongside a notable arbitration practice. John Fogarty and Gowri Kangeson are highlighted for their ‘expert advice‘ in Melbourne, and Liam Prescott is a key contact in the Brisbane office.

The ‘well-regarded and highly experienced’ Mark Petrucco in Sydney leads Hall & Wilcox‘s commercial dispute resolution team, which has bases in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide. Alongside commercial litigation expertise, the team is experienced in Royal Commissions and regulatory proceedings. ‘Stand out‘ Jacob Uljans and ‘go-to‘ Graydon Dowd, both in Melbourne, are sought after for commercial litigation. Also in Melbourne is public sector specialist Kathryn Howard, who is praised as ‘exceptional’.

HFW‘s dispute resolution team is headed up by Paul Evans in Perth, who is ‘an expert in the field’. Operating across the firm’s key sectors – the construction, energy, commodities, insurance, and shipping industries – the team supports a range of domestic and international clients. Jo Delaney is a key contact for arbitration work in Sydney, while in Melbourne, Sophy Woodward is recommended. Ken Hickman joined the team from Jones Day in May 2023, bolstering the construction dispute practice in Melbourne.

The ‘strong and stable‘ complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution team at K&L Gates is led by Sydney-based Tim Webster. Its expertise spans class actions, Royal Commissions, government inquiries and coronial inquests alongside routine enforcement and Corporations Act matters. In Melbourne, Christien Corns specialises in professional indemnity litigation, with additional experience in media and defamation law. Lucy Williams in Sydney is ‘a leading insurance litigator‘, recommended for her ‘carefully considered advice’.

The ‘commercially minded’ Martin del Gallego leads the Piper Alderman dispute resolution and litigation team from Sydney, with a wealth of experience in disputes involving financial services, insurance, energy and resources, and construction clients. Gordon Grieve in Sydney, is sought after for his ‘exceptional technical and tactical skills’, while Meriel Steadman is a key contact for the Perth office. In Sydney, the ‘highly experienced‘ Kate Sambrook was promoted to partner in January 2023.

With ‘client service standards that are extremely high’, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP‘s Sydney office fields Michelle Fox, who heads up the dispute resolution team. A founding partner of the the firm's Australia offices, Fox is an ‘exceptionally talented specialist’, qualified across England and Wales, Australia, and the US, and acts in complex commercial litigation. Elan Sasson and Andrew Corkhill, also in Sydney, are both recommended for their financial services industry expertise. Former team co-head Michael Mills departed the firm in December 2022.

The dispute resolution team at Bird & Bird has ‘deep domain knowledge in all aspects of litigation, regulatory matters, IP and privacy’, and particular sector strength in the IT, media and sports industries, regularly representing clients in cases which involve defamation issues. Sophie Dawson and Jonathon Ellis co-lead the team from Sydney; Dawson specialises in technology and media matters, while Ellis enjoys a strong reputation in commercial litigation. Also in Sydney, Julie Cheeseman bolsters the team’s growing cybersecurity expertise.

‘Strategic litigator’ John Dalzell leads the Sydney-based disputes and risk advisory group at Dentons, which leverages the firm’s global resources to support clients across Australia and Papua New Guinea. The group has experience in a range of commercial litigation matters, alongside employment, insurance and financial disputes. Louise Massey is global co-lead of the firm’s dispute resolution group, and has notable expertise in financial sector work.

The disputes and investigations team at Gadens Lawyers is praised for its ‘hands-on, practical and user-friendly approach to litigation’ with particular strength regarding regulatory investigations and prosecutions, Royal Commissions, class actions and complex contractual disputes. Patrick Walsh heads up the team from Melbourne, which is also home to Simon Theodore, who is recommended for his ‘commercially savvy and sensible advice’. Kathy Merrick is a key contact in Sydney.

The Perth-based dispute resolution and litigation team at Jackson McDonald is noted for its focus on providing exceptional service to clients. Eva Lin leads the team; she is a commercial litigator with expertise in energy and regulation, intellectual property, and financial services disputes. Matthew Reid has a wealth of experience in property and planning disputes, while Matthew Lang is recommended for construction and engineering sector disputes.

Norman Lucas and Gina Wilson co-head the dispute resolution and litigation team at Maddocks, based in Sydney and Melbourne respectively. Lucas’ practice has a particular emphasis on corporate, property, consumer and contractual disputes, while Wilson focuses on regulatory disputes and enforcement work. Rosalie Byrne is a key contact in Canberra, bolstering the team’s strength in government litigation.

Split between Brisbane, where Guy Humble heads up the team, and Sydney, where Jason Munstermann is team lead, the McCullough Robertson litigation and dispute resolution offering is well equipped to handle a range of disputes within the government, transport, software and technology, construction, education and agriculture sectors. The team is particularly recommended for regulatory investigations, clearances and enforcement work; it also has a notable alternative dispute resolution practice, which includes a number of qualified mediators.

Mills Oakley’s commercial disputes and insolvency team represents a broad spectrum of clients, from governmental entities to individuals. Andrew Brown leads the team from Melbourne, with particular expertise in risk management issues and disputes in the financial services sector. Dale Cliff is a key contact in Brisbane, and tax specialist Bernice Ellis is based in Canberra. The team was bolstered in 2022 by the acquisition of litigation boutique Ben Patrick & Associates.

‘Dynamic’ litigation boutique Aptum Legal is co-led by founder and former barrister Nigel Evans, who is recommended for his ‘excellent insights’, and Tuan Van Le, whose experience as a judicial registrar of the Federal Court of Australia bolsters the team’s notable tax specialism. Both are based in Melbourne, and the firm has recently expanded to additionally work out of Sydney and Brisbane. Exclusively focusing on medium to large-scale commercial and tax disputes, the team ‘is small enough to give the client personal service but good enough to match up to any of the major litigation outfits’.

Insurance, construction, and property claims are three key areas of expertise for the disputes and investigations team at Colin Biggers & Paisley, which is led by Timothy Seton in Sydney. With clients ranging from private companies to government entities and individual directors, the team additionally advises on risk management issues, and Seton is particularly experienced in intellectual property disputes.

The Brisbane-based litigation and dispute resolution team at Cooper Grace Ward is co-led by Rocco Russo, Graham Roberts, and Miranda Klibbe. Russo specialises in high-profile and sensitive litigation and is experienced acting for businesses and individuals, while Roberts’ expertise lies in enforcement of securities, insolvency and bankruptcy matters, and Klibbe focuses on property and construction disputes.

Laura Coleclough in Melbourne and Trevor Withane in Sydney lead ‘a talented and responsive team’ of litigation and insolvency specialists at Ironbridge Legal. Withane has long-standing international expertise (especially in the UK) and is in demand for his ability to navigate contentious insolvency, liquidations and other related actions such as freezing orders in addition to broader commercial cases. Also with a career that started with London firms, Coleclough’s background includes Court of Appeal and Supreme Court actions in London, especially in the banking/financial services sectors while ‘top quality‘ senior associate, Patrick Gallego is highly rated for his insolvency and general litigation skills.

The ‘outstanding’ dispute resolution team at Kennedys has experience rooted in commercial and insurance disputes, alongside expertise in employment, health and aged care, and media law disputes. Jane Kupsch, noted for her ‘excellent instincts‘, and marine expert Jonathan Wyatt co-lead the team from Melbourne and Perth, respectively.

The commercial disputes team at Lander & Rogers is led by the ‘excellent’ Johnathan Quilty in Melbourne, who is a commercial litigation specialist whose expertise lies in corporations law. The team also has experience across insolvency, regulatory and property litigation. Insolvency and financial disputes are an area of expertise for Lily Nguyen, while Sarah Fregon specialises in regulatory work and Grant Levy has notable property dispute experience; all three are based in Melbourne.

Andrew Lacey, Chiara Rawlins and Foez Dewan co-lead the Sydney-based litigation and dispute resolution team at McCabes. Lacey has particular experience working for private clients and companies, while Rawlins specialises in consumer and Corporations Act disputes, and Dewan is noted for his experience in estate disputes.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ litigation and international dispute resolution teams acts across Sydney, Perth and Darwin in conjunction with the firm’s wider global offering. The group's particular strength lies in acting for businesses and high-net-worth individuals, including notable strength in construction-related disputes. Graeme Slattery leads the team from Sydney and Perth, and Cris Cureton is a noted practitioner in Sydney and Darwin.

The litigation and dispute resolution team at Thomson Geer was recently bolstered by the arrival of ‘market leader’ Bronwyn Lincoln in Melbourne and the ‘smart, responsive, and strategic’ Scott Castledine in Sydney, from HFW and Clifford Chance respectively. The team acts for clients across a range of industries including the banking and finance, energy and resources and insurance sectors, with work including regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings. Jodi Walkom in Sydney is recommended for her ‘wealth of experience‘ and ‘strategic’ approach.