Department profile
Allens

Dispute Resolution

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Australia


Allens

Rankings

About

Provided by Allens

Allens has a long-standing Dispute Resolution practice at the very top of the market. Our litigation partners are recognised as world leaders in their field and independent market research shows that our practice has 'put airspace between itself and its competitors'.

We have the expertise to assist in any dispute and are geared to mobilise quickly in the event of a complex dispute or regulatory investigation. We frequently assist with major international disputes, and have the capacity to conduct matters in multiple jurisdictions.

We act in some of Australia's most significant disputes, including class actions, competition cases, takeover disputes and public and private investigations (including inquiries by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, the Australian Securities Exchange, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Royal Commissions and Senate inquiries).

Disputes and investigations matters typically involve the collection, management and review of vast quantities of data. Our Disputes team works side-by-side with our market-leading and fully-integrated document review solutions team – Allens Arrow, with skills in computer science, management consulting, mathematics and project management. With the combination of low cost document review, the application of AI, predictive coding and other advanced legal technologies, and close integration with our lawyers, we provide our clients with significant cost-reduction, certainty and timeliness.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Dispute Resolution - Australia

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Allens maintains a substantial bench, backed, through the Linklaters alliance, by a global cross-border capability. The team is especially known for its representation of blue-chip financial services, resources and hi-tech industry multinationals and government clients, and is prominent on significant international arbitration and class action mandates. The team is especially active advising on inquiries and investigations initiated by Australia's regulatory authorities, particularly those involving alleged misconduct in the financial services and energy sectors, and is increasingly prominent in resources sector disputes with environmental or climate change-related aspects.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Allens acted for Insurance Australia Limited on insurance claims totalling AUD7 billion in connection with the collapse of Greensill Capital.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Their litigation team never loses sight of our company's commercial reality and strives to provide the best courses of action to achieve our commercial needs.

    Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Allens has demonstrated agility in advising on complex matters with legal integrity and a commercial and strategic lens.

    Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Allens display an active approach to mentoring and fostering emerging talent. This delivery of partners is a key strength of the firm.

    Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Belinda Thompson
    Band 2Belinda Thompson

    Belinda Thompson

    Belinda Thompson is a seasoned handler of class action defences and securities litigation and particularly familiar with product liability issues and matters arising in the financial services space. She is based in the Allens Melbourne office.
    • Belinda heads a very commercially savvy and well-coordinated team. She is very client-focused, possesses excellent technical skills and has good strategic judgement.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Belinda is one of the most astute commercial litigators in Melbourne, and she has a team that is second to none.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Kim Reid
    Band 3Kim Reid

    Kim Reid

    Kim Reid is highly regarded for both general dispute resolution and class action disputes. Based in Sydney, he is highly regarded for his expertise in contentious regulatory matters, prominently active in banking and financial services-related cases and regularly advises clients in the resources sector.

  • Band 4Ross Drinnan
    Band 4Ross Drinnan

    Ross Drinnan

    Ross Drinnan is a respected, Sydney-based practitioner who specialises in class action defence and high-stakes reputational and regulatory litigation, acting frequently for leading financial services providers. His work includes advising on issues which potentially expose clients to criminal prosecution instigated by regulatory bodies, and on product liability and professional negligence matters.
  • Band 5Malcolm Stephens
    Band 5Malcolm Stephens

    Malcolm Stephens

    Malcolm Stephens offers experience in superior court commercial litigation up to and including High Court level and embracing frequent involvement in class action and financial regulatory cases. He is based in Sydney.

    • Malcom is very across the law and exceptionally smart.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Allens (4)

Australia

Members

Provided by Allens

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