Transport & Trade
Chris Sacré
Partner
Aaron Dearden
Aaron has extensive employment and industrial relations law experience. Specifically, he specialises in enterprise bargaining, industrial strategies and disputes, disciplinary and performance matters, independent contractor claims, corporate restructuring and outsourcing, managing ill and injured workers, breach of contract claims, and enforcement of restraints of trade. Aaron acts for prominent Australian and international companies across a range of industries.
Jennifer Degotardi
Jennifer is a real estate partner with extensive experience in all aspects of commercial property law. In particular, she acts for clients in the government, financial services, transport and infrastructure sectors.
Jennifer provides advice on a diverse range of issues including title and development issues relating to infrastructure projects and other government developments, rail corridor access, property management outsourcing, acquisitions and disposals (including in relation to compulsory acquisitions by agreement), leasing and other land access arrangements.
Jennifer has a pragmatic and solutions focussed approach to her matters. Clients benefit from her efficient and effective management of their legal matters and her consistent drive to innovate to improve the delivery of legal services.
Suzie Leask
Suzie is a highly regarded specialist in corporate and commercial law. With over 15 years’ experience, Suzie assists companies and their boards, directors, company secretaries, management, in house legal teams and key business stakeholders to comply with a variety of commercial transactions, corporate governance and regulatory compliance obligations. Suzie is experienced in a range of areas including business transactions, corporate advisory, commercial contracts and procurement, IT and intellectual property, privacy law and cyber security, regulatory compliance, competition and consumer laws including unfair contract laws.
Jacqueline McGrath
Jacqueline is a tax litigation expert with extensive experience acting for large multinationals, small-to-medium enterprises and individuals in disputes with the Australian Taxation Office, AusIndustry, State Revenue Offices and the Australian Border Force.
Jacqueline has also previously been employed as a senior lawyer with the Australian Taxation Office, Australian Government Solicitor and the Australian Border Force – so is able to provide unique insights for clients about managing disputes with these regulators.
Jacqueline is an experienced practitioner and a seasoned litigator with a unique skill set and experience across the public and private sector. Jacqueline works for clients in various industries including financial services, defence, technology and energy and resources.
Catie Moore
Catie is a projects and infrastructure lawyer with over 25 years’ experience, specialising in energy, transport and infrastructure projects. She has advised and acted for both the public and private sector on large construction, procurement and outsourcing projects, including projects delivered as public private partnerships.
Catie also has considerable experience in a broad range of areas including commercial contracts, logistics and supply contracts, legal advisory, property, competition law (ACCC matters), restructuring, joint ventures and M&A (including FIRB and ASIC).
Her knowledge has been acquired from a variety of roles, as a partner in major international and Australian law firms and as General Counsel where she has provided strategic and commercial advice across a range of Australian and international projects.
Team Services
The transport and trade industry has seen substantial changes over the past 24 months, with the increase of some global markets and collapse of others. As the world moves into a post-COVID-19 ‘normal’, it will be important to understand how your international trading will be impacted.
How we can help
Our national transport team has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the transport industry both globally and within Australia. We have expertise in shipping, aviation, road transport and the insurances that underpin the global supply chain.
We work with local and international stakeholders to resolve commodities and trade disputes. Our team regularly litigates in the State and Federal Courts and handles disputes in Australian and international arbitration.
Our marine insurance experts work with the Australian marine insurance market, international insurers and P&I clubs to resolve coverage issues, claims and successfully pursue recovery actions.
Our team advises on matters including:
- Carriage of goods by sea – Advising ship owners, operators, managers, charterers, cargo interests and their insurers on the wide range of disputes that arise during international trade.
- Carriage of goods by road and air – Advising airlines, road carriers, insurers and cargo interests on claims arising out of losses during land and air transport.
- Personal injury in the aviation and marine industries – Defence of personal injury claims by passengers, crew, ground handlers and stevedores.
- Marine insurance – Advising P&I, H&M, cargo, liability and pleasurecraft insurers on coverage, claims and recoveries across Australia.
- Shipping regulatory – Advising on the regulation of Australian shipping including coastal trading, freight tax, payment of seafarers, importation and operation of vessels in Australia.
- Industrial relations – Advising local and international employers of crew, stevedores.
- Prosecutions and detentions - Defending ship owners, operators and crew members following marine pollution incidents, negligent navigation and Port State Control detentions.
- Casualties – Emergency response including groundings, salvage, towage, collisions and pollution incidents.
- Ship Arrest – Arresting ships or securing their release in all jurisdictions around Australia.