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 in court.

"John Shehan is very experienced, very good at managing clients to focus on the right things to win the case. He is very sought after and deservedly so."

"He is widely regarded as a leading silk in New South Wales and nationally."

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.

"When Justin is briefed on matters he brings a lot of energy and dynamism to the case and lots of good ideas. He will always come at things in a way that adds a lot to the case."

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.

"Kristen has a very good practice."

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.

"Ruth Higgins is very much top-league at this moment."

"She is great with clients, great to deal with, a great advocate and great on strategy."

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

"David Sulan is really good value."

"David has a very calm, understated and effective approach. His judgement on strategic matters is insightful, courageous and impressive."

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 Lindeman is very good."

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.

"Robert Dick is amazing. He is affordable, approachable and gives you his time."

"He is well regarded as a general commercial silk."

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.

"Tim Breakspear for construction and infrastructure work has already made a name for himself. He is one of the best barristers in that specialisation at the Sydney Bar."

"He is excellent in construction."

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.

"Vanessa is fantastic, a great and genuine player and expert."

"She is great to work with and has a great brain."

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.

"Sebastian is fantastic. Very clever, hard-working, highly strategic and a great sense of humour in the trenches."

"He is excellent, user-friendly, happy to engage the clients and very responsive."

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.

"He is thorough, detail-focused, hard-working and easy to work with."

"He is very good and very active."

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

"Farid's written work in the area is exceptional in terms of books and journal articles. He is a leading practitioner."

"He is good in commercial work."

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.

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

"Declan has a great intellect and range in the matters he can turn his hand to. He has a very calm and pragmatic approach to working through problems and is very hard-working."

"Declan is excellent, user-friendly and on top of the issues."

Fiona Roughley SC is active in an impressive variety of fields, including those of construction, insolvency and public inquiries and investigations, and is further noted for her increasing prominence in the class action space.

"Fiona Roughley is client-friendly, very accessible and a pleasure to work with. Always thoroughly prepared, she works extremely hard and has a lot of intellectual horsepower."

"She is excellent."

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

"He is very quick on the uptake, very smart and good on the law. He has good technical skills and is a capable advocate."

"Nick is great."

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.

"Rob is a rock star. He is whip-smart and very thoughtful, commercial in approach and very accessible for such a busy counsel."

"He is an excellent barrister."