What the team is known for
Baker McKenzie maintains a well-resourced, highly experienced dispute resolution group, acknowledged for its financial services, restructuring and insolvency, and technology related expertise. Attracts attention for its involvement in prominent class actions and for the representation of individuals or companies facing regulatory inquiry or prosecution, bringing to the latter work valuable experience of having acted both for and against regulatory bodies. Also active on behalf of both customers and suppliers engaged in disputes arising in the IT and telecommunications sectors and for healthcare and consumer goods sector clients. Especially prized for its membership of a global network, well placed to handle cross-border litigation, and prominent on international arbitrations, particularly in the construction and resources spheres. Key clients include Unilever, Universities Australia and VicForests.
Notable practitioners
Alex Wolff is based in Melbourne and maintains a broad practice which extends across such varied sectors as energy, health, forestry and logistics and within which regulatory matters – particularly those which fall within the ambit of the ACCC – feature particularly prominently. An interviewee calls him
"a first-class litigator with a very strong strategic mind," and adds that
"he approaches litigation with an outcome-based focus and manages a team very well." Andrew Salgo is based in Sydney and operates a varied and versatile practice, often focused on matters of high reputational significance to the clients concerned. A client who
"highly recommends" him and
"would not hesitate to work with him in the future" says:
"He is one of the most intelligent people with whom I have ever come into contact. He is able to get across matters incredibly quickly and to provide concise and correct evaluations of complex issues." Mark Chapple acts chiefly on disputes arising out of commercial arrangements such as joint ventures, complex contracts, and investor and shareholder agreements. Describing his handling of a particular mandate, a client sums up:
"We could not have been more pleased with Mark's outstanding performance, his unyielding dedication and inexhaustible commitment and his singular focus on achieving a successful outcome for us." He is based in Sydney.
