The Legal 500 > Asia Pacific > Australia > Competition and trade

Allens’ competition, consumer and regulatory department offers ‘market-leading expertise’ in advising on the contentious and non-contentious aspects of competition law. The group is adept at handling all types of enforcement matters involving the ACCC including all stages of investigations and litigation. The team’s contentious work has been marked by success on multiple occasions including the defence of Pfizer in ACCC proceedings alleging misuse of market power and exclusive dealing, as well as the representation of PZ Cusson, in an alleged 'hub and spoke' cartel case. Sydney-based Carolyn Oddie is leading a team representing Allianz in relation to the Royal Commission into financial services. The team is equally well-versed in advising on high-value merger control matters. The ‘incredibly competent’ Fiona Crosbie lead on advising CK Hutchison Holdings on the proposed $15bn merger between Vodafone Hutchison Australia and TPG Telecom. In Sydney Jacqueline Downes leads the national practice and Robert Walker is also noted. Melbourne-based Rosannah Healy comes in for praise for her experience in the regulatory and litigation space. Senior associate David Mierendorff is also noted. Kon Stellios has left the practice to join the Bar.

Ashurst’s team attracts commendations from clients for its experience in handling multi-jurisdictional matters as well as for its ‘unique ability to quickly understand its clients’ needs and address them’. The group is frequently instructed by overseas counsel in relation to matters specific to the Australian market. The team covers the full spectrum of both contentious and non-contentious competition law work, but is particularly recommended for efficiently handling contentious issues. In one highlight Peter Armitage and Bill Reid acted on the defence of  Google in a case brought by Unlockd alleging abuse of the client’s position in the media sector. In Melbourne, Justin Jones stands out for his experience in competition law enforcement matters, as well as for his niche expertise in consumer law and regulated utilities. Acting from Brisbane, Alyssa Phillips’ practice places emphasis on high-value merger transactions and investigations. In Sydney, recently promoted partner Melissa Fraser and counsels Angie Ng and Tihana Zuk are also noted.

The team at Gilbert + Tobin offers multi-jurisdictional expertise to clients seeking merger control assistance with large cross-border transactions. Standing out in this space is Gina Cass-Gottlieb, who is considered to be 'an exceptional competition practitioner’. The group is equally adept at handling matters relating to ACCC authorisations and market studies. In one highlight, practice co-heads Luke Woodward and Elizabeth Avery led a team assisting K-Line with a high-profile criminal cartel case brought before the Federal Court; due to its guilty plea and cooperation, the client was fined $34.5m rather than $48m otherwise sought by the authorities. Sector-specific expertise for the group includes areas such as utilities, telecoms, financial services and media. June 2019 saw Paula Gilardoni depart to KPMG Law. Formerly in an in-house position, special counsel Susan Jones joined the firm’s office in Melbourne, where Simon Muys heads up the local practice and specialises in complex merger control and competition litigation.

Herbert Smith Freehills fields a competition, regulation and trade team which is singled out by clients and peers alike as being ‘one of the most highly regarded teams for contentious and non-contentious competition matters’. The ‘amazing’ Liza Carver is ‘a respected voice in any room’ and ‘gives straightforward and confident guidance to clients’. Carver serves as regional head of the group, which has a reputation for its ability to act on complex merger transactions, as well as competition law enforcement matters and investigations. The department is able to draw upon the expertise of the firm’s leading corporate and dispute resolution teams and also benefits from the firm’s footprint worldwide, which gives it an additional competitive edge in acting for blue-chip organisations on cross-border cases. Team members are active across sectors including financial services, energy, communications, infrastructure, consumer goods, and health. Melbourne-based Matthew Bull stands out in the enforcement and investigations space; he represented Murray Goulburn Co-Operative in Federal Court proceedings initiated by the ACCC. The team has undergone some changes: Chris Jose and Paul Hughes have left private practice and Donald Robertson  has retired. Special counsel Annalisa Heger joined the Melbourne office from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. Patrick Gay is a recommended adviser for clients in the consumer products space.

King & Wood Mallesons  assists clients on local and cross-border matters relating to merger control, investigations, and other types of completion law enforcement work. The team is noted for its expertise in inquiries and investigations conducted by the ACCC; in one work highlight, a team led by Wayne Leach and Peta Stevenson advised new client Facebook on the ACCC’s high-profile market inquiry into digital platforms. Key sectors of focus for the group are mining and resources, agribusiness, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, financial services, telecoms and media. Department head Sharon Henrick is ‘a superb competition lawyer, with in-depth knowledge of competition law’ and working closely with Hedrick is senior associate Christopher Kok, who is also singled out for his project management skills. ‘Industry expert’ Caroline Coops focuses on merger clearance as well as complex competition and consumer protection litigation. In Melbourne, Andrew Monotti and recently promoted partner Simon Cooke are also recommended for merger clearance work. Trish Henry departed to accept an appointment at the Supreme Court of New South Wales and Stephen Ridgeway retired.

The ‘impressive’ team at Clayton Utz provides ‘all-round excellent competition law support’. Team members are singled out for their experience in dealings with the regulator in relation to merger control and the ensuing merger-related competition litigation; the ‘outstanding’ Kirsten Webb stands out in this space and heads the practice and Linda Evans ‘manages complex cases and large teams with apparent ease and considerable skill’. It attracts clients from sectors ranging from retail and media to telecoms and pharmaceuticals. Elizabeth Richmond and Perth-based counsel Trina Storm are recommended and Bruce Lloyd and Michael Corrigan are other key contacts.

MinterEllison shows ‘a true understanding of a company’s DNA’ when advising on the competition law aspects of domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. Due to its independence, the group receives a high volume of referrals and has steady streams of work come from clients in relation to investigations, competition litigation, and general competition strategy. Sectors of focus include energy, healthcare, telecoms and education. ‘Seasoned veteran and master strategist’ Paul Schoff leads the team from Sydney and jointly heads the national practice with Geoff Carter in Melbourne. Also in Melbourne is recently promoted partner Miranda Noble, who is ‘a real class act when it comes to competition law’, and recently led a team acting for applicant Unlockd on bringing action against Google for misuse of its substantial market power. Sydney-based Katrina Groshinski acts for both public- and private-sector clients, while Brisbane-based Justin Oliver is recommended for regulatory work. Senior associate Haydn Flack is also noted.

Allen & Overy LLP’s competition department is led by ‘the highly experienced’ Peter McDonald, who is notable not only for his recent work, but also his prior experience at the ACCC. The team advises both domestic and regional clients in relation to merger control and market investigations; the behavioural practice covers cartels and other anti-competitive conduct investigations and class actions. The firm attracts blue-chip clients from industries including energy, digital media, as well as consumer goods, aviation, and financial services. Counsel Stefanie Benson is also noted.

Arnold Bloch Leibler focuses on a wide range of sectors such as food, agriculture, financial services, retail, petroleum and construction, among others. The team is particularly noted for its expertise in ACCC investigations and prosecutions and is also adept at handling private competition law enforcement matters and product recalls/consumer law issues. Melbourne-based Zaven Mardirossian leads the practice, where Matthew Lees is also a key contact.

Led by the 'highly responsive and competent' Richard Westmoreland and Peter Campbell, HWL Ebsworth’s team is supported by the commercial and litigation departments. The group is well noted for its experience advising on criminal cartel matters where it assists clients with their responses to investigations; Alistair Little is a key team member in this regard. Other notable areas of expertise for the practice include merger clearances and structuring advice. It advises clients on a range of sectors with a focus on the transport and financial services areas.

K&L Gates’ antitrust, competition and trade regulation department focuses on merger control matters, as well as regulatory investigations by the ACCC regarding cartel-related activity and other allegations of anti-competitive behaviour. Ayman Guirguis heads up the practice, which advises across sectors such as the automotive industry, financial services, energy, agriculture, shipping and logistics, and healthcare and pharmaceuticals. A new arrival IN 2018, special counsel David Howarth is now a key contact for clients seeking assistance with investigations and litigation regarding both consumer- and competition-related issues.

Mills Oakley handles both contentious and non-contentious competition work. The group has a traditional strength in merger control matters globally and the Australian practice is especially active on cartel litigation where it is acting on a number of high-profile cases. Headed up by Kathryn Edghill, the practice is particularly prominent across sectors such as technology, telecoms, food and beverage, manufacturing and retail and of late it is especially active in the financial services industry. Graham Maher is also noted.