Allens' disputes team is well known for its expertise across a range of class actions, but stands out in particular for its strength in the financial services space, where it is regularly involved in the market’s most consequential class actions. Jenny Campbell and Ross Drinnan are representing Citibank in a high-profile class action arising out of cartel investigations in multiple jurisdictions worldwide. In addition to financial services work, the practice group is taking leading roles in several complex shareholder claims, and consumer class actions in the automotive sector. The team has also shown its strength in cases involving class actions procedure; one example of many is Malcolm Stephens’ successful High Court appeal of a common fund order, acting on behalf of Westpac Banking Corporation and Westpac Life Insurance Services. Belinda Thompson jointly leads the group alongside Campbell. Andrew Maher heads up the wider disputes and investigations practice, where Guy Foster is also recommended. Alex Tolliday is a standout senior associate in the team. Unless otherwise specified, all practitioners are based in Sydney.

Clayton Utz is a firm fixture on the side of the defendants, and prides itself on maintaining a leading role in the development of procedural as well as substantive law in the class action space. The team’s recent workload points to its depth of expertise in product liability and shareholder claims. One of example of many is its automotive sector work; its representation of five members of the Volkswagen Group in relation to the high-profile diesel emissions scandal; Toyota Australia is another standout client represented by Melbourne-based Andrew Morrison. Morrison also leads the national commercial litigation group. Colin Loveday is a stalwart in Sydney’s class action space, with his wealth of experience handling claims in the consumer product and financial services sectors.

Herbert Smith Freehills is among Australia’s go-to firms in the field of shareholder class actions. Headed up by Melbourne-based Damian Grave, the practice group routinely leads the defence of complex shareholder claims across a wide range of sectors. Among recent highlights, a team including Jason Betts and recently promoted partner Christine Tran are representing BHP Group in a large class action alleging a breach of the client’s disclosure obligations; this case raises several novel points, including the breadth of membership in the class. The team has also remained active in competition class actions, employment-related claims, and consumer class actions in areas such as financial services, retail, and consumer products. Betts and Tran are based in the Sydney office. Other key figures in Melbourne include executive counsel Helen Mould, as well as Harry Edwards, who joined from the firm’s London office in May 2020. Ante Golem is a key practitioner in Perth.

The team at King & Wood Mallesons has specialised expertise in several core areas of class actions, including securities and financial services, competition and public liability. Following success at first instance, team head Moira Saville and special counsel Liam Burgess are continuing to act for Westpac Banking Corporation in an appeal of the 2019 trial decision regarding the client’s credit assessment practices in mortgage lending. Alexander Morris is another contact for class actions in the financial services space. Peta Stevenson specialises in cartel and competition class actions, and Brisbane-based Justin McDonnell is a name to note for public liability claims and securities litigation. Canberra-based Emma Lawrence was promoted to partner in July 2020. Sam Dundas is a key contact in the Perth office.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP’s Sydney-based team benefits from the firm’s global reputation in the field of class actions. The group prides itself on its successful track record in representing both plaintiff and defendants. It is well-versed in defending corporations and their managers against product liability and contract-based claims. The team can often be seen act on the plaintiff side in disputes in the resources sector. Michael Mills, Michelle Fox and Damian Scattini share leadership of the department.

Acting on the side of the defendants, Minter Ellison’s recent workload stands out in relation to collective claims involving shareholder rights and allegations of breaches of provisions of the Corporations Act. The team is also prominent in the financial services sector. Commercial litigator James Beaton (Sydney) leads the national group, where Beverley Newbold, David Taylor, and Ross Freeman (Melbourne) are also key figures.

Acting on a cross-practice basis, Clyde & Co LLP's team utilises its specialist sector-specific approach to defend clients against claims in areas such as insurance, infrastructure and shareholder litigation. The department relies upon the firm’s global resources for cross-border matters. Janette McLennan and John Moran jointly sit at the helm of the practice.

Led out of Sydney by Michael Russell, Colin Biggers & Paisley acts on the side of a varied mix of defendants consisting of both corporate clients and insurers. The team has accrued significant experience handling cases involving companies in liquidation. The class-action strength of the practice comes on the back of the firm’s litigation and insurance capabilities; it also acts as coverage and monitoring counsel.

Gilbert + Tobin is noted for its ability to act in class action proceedings in the financial services sector; clients laud Sydney-based department head Richard Harris as ‘a standout leader’ in this space. The team’s representation of both plaintiffs and defendants has led to an uptick in class action instructions; it has handled over ten significant class actions during the reported period.

A recognised top performer in the class action space, Slater and Gordon prides itself on its leading roles in four out of the top-10 class action settlements during 2019 alone. The team’s work stands out in the financial services sector, where it is a firm fixture on the side of the defendants; this comes alongside additional marked strengths in shareholder and investor litigation. Practice head Ben Hardwick is based in Melbourne, where financial litigator Emma Pelka-Caven is also a key figure.