TMT: Media
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 1
Contact number
+61 8 8236 1300About
Provided by Thomson Geer
Thomson Geer provides legal advice on all media, broadcasting, and entertainment matters.
We advise and assist our clients on all matters including copyright and licensing, privacy and confidentiality, dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, defamation, and complaints management.
Our clients include Australia's largest media organisations, music industry participants, radio broadcasters, internet service providers (ISPs), and television broadcasters.
Our services include:
- Compliance with the Broadcasting Services Act
- Copyright-related matters
- Pre-publication advice
- Dispute resolution
- Defamation
- Intellectual property
- Liaising and negotiating with rights holders, and industry and regulatory bodies
- Licensing of media
- Media reporting restrictions
- IT procurements
- Cybersecurity
- Fintech
- Defence technology procurement
- Telecommunications network deployment
- Internet of Things
Chambers Review
Thomson Geer's nationwide media team is experienced in the representation of many of Australia's largest print, online and television news outlets. It is notably active in the provision of pre-publication advice and experienced in the handling of breach of confidence, suppression order, contempt and source revelation issues, as well as the carriage of high-profile defamation litigation in superior state and Commonwealth courts. In the technology and telecommunications sphere, Thomson Geer is prominently engaged on key procurement, outsourcing and implementation mandates, including the installation of software management systems and the rollout of 5G networks.
Work Highlights
- Thomson Geer acted for HarperCollins and author Aaron Patrick in defamation proceedings commenced by Senator Linda Reynolds in the WA Supreme Court in relation to a book entitled 'Ego: Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberal Party's Civil War'.
- Thomson Geer acted for the South Australian Government's Department for Correctional Services in negotiations with suppliers to deliver a new prisoner management system.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Thomson Geer take a commercial approach and provide thorough, considered advice. The lawyers are also able to explain complex legal issues and risks in simple terms to business stakeholders."
"They have an absolute understanding of the fabric of the media landscape and are both very responsive and quick to act."
"Thomson Geer's lawyers are leaders in their field."
"Thomson Geer take a commercial approach and provide thorough, considered advice. The lawyers are also able to explain complex legal issues and risks in simple terms to business stakeholders."
"They have an absolute understanding of the fabric of the media landscape and are both very responsive and quick to act."
"Thomson Geer's lawyers are leaders in their field."
Notable Practitioners
John-Paul Cashen is based in Melbourne and operates across the media spectrum, offering particularly extensive experience in the handling of defamation, suppression order and freedom of information-related mandates.
"From my experience, John-Paul Cashen is the best in the industry."
"John-Paul is an outstanding litigator. He is highly forensic, responsive, commercial and a pleasure to work with."
"John-Paul puts his client at ease with his calm and careful approach to difficult issues. He is great to work with, and his positive attitude and approach to work is infectious."
Justin Quill has practised exclusively in media law for some 25 years, acting for major print and online publishers and broadcasters on the full range of contentious or potentially contentious issues they face, including defamation, contempt of court and breach of confidential information claims.
"Justin is a formidable force in Australian media law. He is diligent and determined in delivering good results for his clients."
"I would consider Justin Quill to be the market leader for the whole of Australia in defamation and media law matters."
"Justin is fabulous at managing the big picture as well as making strategic micro decisions. The thing that stands out about him is his energy; his capacity to work is incredible."
Marlia Saunders is a sought-after media lawyer based in Sydney. She is experienced in handling defamation cases and non-publication and suppression orders, and in providing pre-publication advice.
"Marlia is a diligent, hard-working and intelligent lawyer who knows the finer details of litigation and media law better than any."
"Marlia Saunders is a real star. She's confident, calm and knowledgeable, incredibly hard-working and has great judgement. You know she will give 110% and will get the best results she can."
"Marlia is an outstanding performer with a mixture of technical legal skills, team management skills and emotional intelligence. She's a pleasure to work with and is very highly regarded."
Mark Feetham is well known for his work in the telecommunications space, where he advises on a wide range of contractual, regulatory and competition-related matters, including the rollout of 5G technology, large-scale customer agreements and privacy issues.
"Mark Feetham is a very strong negotiator; it is always reassuring to have him in your corner. He has excellent industry knowledge and strong drafting skills."
"Mark is a really effective adviser whose solution-driven. Mark's excellent because he understands the commercial drivers and legal issues."
"Mark is a delight to work with and he always brings value."
Ranked Lawyers at
Thomson Geer
Australia
Members
Provided by Thomson Geer