Dispute Resolution: The Bar

John Sheahan KC is widely praised for his handling of high-risk commercial matters in general, and also for restructuring and insolvency mandates specifically. He is regularly recognised for his excellent advocacy skills and is considered to be as impressive in the boardroom as he is in court.

"He continues to be an absolute star of the bar, fantastic to work with and is an insightful and wonderful person."

"One of Australia's best barristers."

Justin Gleeson SC wins plaudits for the breadth of his practice, not only for high-profile commercial work, where he is often instructed on appellate cases, but also in the spheres of insolvency, employment and international arbitration.

"I think he is the best counsel at bar in Australia particularly for appellate work."

Cameron Moore SC consistently attracts praise for complex competition matters and is a noted class action specialist. He is particularly singled out in the competition arena for having acted on both the prosecution and defence sides.

"He is one of the leading competition barristers."

"He is seen as a real leader in the Sydney bar."

Kate Lindeman offers extensive experience of litigation throughout the New South Wales court system and in both the Federal and High Courts, her range covering both commercial and public law matters. She has a notable track record of appearing in high-profile cases.

"Kate is outstanding."

"Kate is super smart and busy and detail-oriented."

Kristen Deards SC is active across a broad range of tax matters, including income tax, CGT and GST-related issues, appearing for both taxpayers and the taxation authorities in cases considered by tribunals up to and including High Court level.

Peter Brereton SC maintains a highly versatile and varied practice, covering the fullest range of first-instance and appellate cases, undertaken for some of Australia's highest-profile companies and embracing a noted competition law capability.

"Peter Brereton is fabulous, smart and pragmatic. He brings sensibility and proportionality to clients."

Ruth Higgins SC is widely acknowledged for complex commercial matters, in addition to being long established as a barrister of choice in the competition sphere. In addition, she is known for her prominence in the insolvency field and her appearances in major inquiries and class actions.

"She is very strong on competition law, one of the leaders of Sydney bar."

"She seems to have an extraordinary practice at the moment."

David Sulan SC is active across a broad commercial spectrum, appearing frequently in insolvency-related cases or those involving allegations of various forms of financial misconduct.

"David has a way of advancing his best points and not wasting people's time with bad points."

"He specialises in this area and he is an extremely competent professional and safe set of hands."

Declan Roche SC is recognised for his track record acting on prominent competition disputes.

Nicholas Bender SC is recognised for his handling of high-value commercial, corporate and insolvency matters.

"He is good in insolvency and commercial litigation."

Robert Dick SC handles a broad range of high-profile, complex commercial litigation mandates in which financial services, regulatory and insolvency issues, or matters subject to major public inquiries, feature prominently.

"In the insurance sector, Robert Dick is very very good."

Robert Yezerski SC maintains a broad commercial practice within which competition and consumer law issues feature particularly prominently, and also offers notable experience in the handling of class actions and criminal cartel cases.

"He is very easy to deal with, thoughtful, strategic and good to clients which is not always the case for silks."

Sebastian Hartford Davis operates across a broad range of commercial, corporate and equity issues, offering experience of litigation at all levels of the New South Wales court system as well as in the High and Federal Courts.

"He is a well-regarded commercial all-rounder."

Tim Breakspear SC is well reputed when it comes to construction matters. He is particularly accomplished in his handling of disputes generated by major energy, resources or infrastructure projects, or those involving a heavy engineering component. He is also developing a notable profile on the regional international arbitration scene.

Vanessa Whittaker SC has maintained a strong focus on insolvency issues since her days as a solicitor, and it continues to form a substantial part of a practice which also embraces the often related areas of bankruptcy, insurance law and professional liability.

Christopher Withers SC is particularly noted for his familiarity with financial services, insolvency and regulatory matters and, increasingly, as an advocate on behalf of plaintiffs in prominent class actions.

"Cross-examination by Chris Withers is a genuine pleasure to watch."

Farid Assaf SC maintains a strong focus on corporate affairs, including questions of directors' duties and other regulatory matters and insolvency issues.

Fiona Roughley SC is active in an impressive variety of fields, including those of construction, insolvency and public inquiries and investigations, and she also has noted strength in the class action space.

"She has a very good reputation."

Jonathon Redwood SC has over 20 years of experience advising on complex commercial and class action disputes. He is particularly singled out for his impressive international arbitration practice.