Disputes Yearbook Sponsored firm profile: Gilbert + Tobin

Gilbert + Tobin is the firm of choice when the stakes are high. The disputes and investigations team at Gilbert + Tobin specialises in assisting clients to navigate complex and significant contentious issues. We work closely with our clients to develop an approach best suited to achieving their objectives and the protection of their interests. We understand that litigation should always be a last resort but, where necessary, needs to be handled strategically and commercially and with jealous regard to your reputation.

Our lawyers have been and continue to be involved in Australia’s most high-profile commercial disputes, litigation, investigations and inquiries. Clients come to us for our sophisticated and strategic litigation and dispute resolution services across a broad range of legal areas. We work closely with clients to deliver focused, timely and cost-effective solutions.

We specialise in sensitive investigations and inquiries – from internal issues to regulatory investigations to commissions of inquiry – we understand the need for clarity of thought, discretion and insight. We know that the manner in which investigations are handled can be the best protection against bigger issues.

Gilbert + Tobin takes on difficult cases and regularly delivers solutions that challenge the status quo. Many of the cases we conduct involve multiple parties and novel legal or factual issues. Our firm has been the winner of the Financial Times Most Innovative Asia-Pacific Firm, Most Innovative Law Firm in Australia and many other innovation-related awards.

We work with clients to deliver timely and cost-effective advice developed within the framework of agreed objectives. We continually reassess the progress of disputes and discuss strategy with our clients to ensure that strategic choices remain aligned with those goals and that there are no unwelcome surprises.

Our key areas of expertise are:

Commercial litigation
Class actions
Commissions and inquiries
Anti-bribery and corruption
Regulatory compliance and investigations
Corporate crime
Employment disputes

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‘Best firm I have ever worked with – practical, commercial, innovative and cost conscious.’ – IFLR 2019

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Our team of experts

RICHARD HARRIS
Partner and practice head
T +61 2 9263 4413
E rharris@gtlaw.com.au
An experienced, strategic and pragmatic litigator, Richard specialises in significant commercial litigation (including class actions), inquiries and investigations. Richard regularly advises banks, professional service firms, large corporations and their boards on major dispute and governance issues. He has been involved in a wide range of substantial complex investigations, enforcement proceedings and commercial litigation in Australian superior jurisdictions including the High Court. In particular, Richard brings a deep understanding of the commercial issues, challenges and opportunities for clients operating in the financial services sector. Most recently, Richard led the team advising Westpac on its response to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, as well as in its defence of the high profile ASIC prosecution concerning alleged manipulation of the Bank Bill Swap rate (BBSW).

DIANNE BANKS
Partner
T +61 2 9263 4041
E dbanks@gtlaw.com.au
Dianne heads Gilbert + Tobin’s employment practice, advising on all aspects of the employment relationship, from commencement to termination. Her clients include government authorities, public and private companies and senior executives. Dianne’s approach is to achieve practical and commercially sound solutions for her clients in the many and varied issues which confront employers in the Australian workplace. Dianne’s work cuts across many industries including private equity, technology, pharmaceutical and health, banking, retail, construction and mining, publishing and entertainment industries.

ANDREW FLORO
Partner
T +61 2 9263 4436
E afloro@gtlaw.com.au
Andrew advises his clients in large-scale commercial dispute resolution, regulatory investigations and prosecutions and minimising corporate exposure. Andrew has acted on a number of significant disputes and investigations in matters across a variety of industry sectors from banking and finance, retail, telecommunications, energy, entertainment, manufacturing and resources before superior state and federal courts and tribunals and before regulators.

KATE HARRISON
Partner
T +61 2 9263 4335
E kharrison@gtlaw.com.au
Kate’s practice at Gilbert + Tobin includes corporate and commercial litigation, royal commissions, inquiries and investigations, and IP advice and litigation. Kate has represented parties in disputes in the Federal Court, the NSW Supreme Court, and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, as well as before Royal Commissions and Statutory Agency Inquiries.

CRISPIAN LYNCH
Partner
T +61 2 9263 4420
E clynch@gtlaw.com.au
Crispian resolves significant and complex disputes and applies a commercial and strategic approach to doing so. He has worked on some of Australia’s largest commercial disputes, including class actions. Crispian has also worked on a wide range of commercial litigation, arbitrations, mediations and contentious insolvency matters in Australia and around the world. Crispian works across many sectors, including the banking and finance, energy, media, telecommunications and infrastructure sectors. He also advises on complex broadcasting services matters for numerous clients.

CHRISTIANA McCUDDEN
Partner
T +61 3 8656 3391
E cmccudden@gtlaw.com.au
Christiana has practised in commercial litigation and payments law for more than 15 years. She advises and represents clients in a variety of commercial and corporate disputes with a strong focus on strategic approaches to meet their business needs. With extensive experience acting in large state and federal court proceedings, Christiana has acted in matters including breach of directors’ duties, contract disputes, negligence and tortious actions, unconscionable conduct and misrepresentation cases plus regulatory or statutory investigations/applications.

MARSHALL McKENNA
Partner
T +61 8 9413 8410
E mmckenna@gtlaw.com.au
Marshall’s principal focus is on commercial litigation, intellectual property, mining litigation (in both the Warden’s Courts and the Supreme Court), native title litigation, land access and planning and environmental approvals and Freedom of Information issues. He is also active in negotiating and documenting compensation, heritage and land access agreements.

TIM O’LEARY
Partner
T +61 8 9413 8408
E toleary@gtlaw.com.au
Tim acts for clients in relation to contractual disputes, insolvency disputes, regulatory investigations and Corporations Act matters, including schemes of arrangement. Tim appears regularly in the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the Federal Court of Australia, and also practises in the Mining Warden’s Court. He provides advice on all aspects of corporate, commercial and resources and energy law.

COLLEEN PLATFORD
Partner
T +61 2 9263 4026
E cplatford@gtlaw.com.au
Colleen has extensive experience in commercial litigation, class actions litigation and proceedings involving insolvency issues and restructuring. She has over 25 years’ experience in all aspects of commercial litigation, including high-profile and highly-contested litigation and regulatory investigations. Her clients include major corporations, including US corporations. She is considered one of the pre-eminent commercial litigators in Australia. She is highly regarded for providing strategic advice, dealing with complex issues and obtaining commercial outcomes. Colleen also has substantial experience in advising high-profile directors and companies involved in investigations, Royal Commissions and litigation brought by ASIC, the ACCC and liquidators and administrators.

JANET WHITING
Partner
T +61 3 8656 3387
E jwhiting@gtlaw.com.au
Janet heads the disputes and investigations practice in Melbourne and is recognised as a pre-eminent commercial litigator in Australia, practising in complex commercial matters. Highly numerate, she has an enviable reputation for her strategic advice, detailed analysis and obtaining commercial solutions. Janet has extensive experience in the risk, governance and probity areas through holding directorships across a number of industries throughout her career. This hands-on experience is integral to Janet’s ability to advise on effective strategies and strategic positioning in complex disputes.