Ashurst’s full-service team handles complex domestic and multi-jurisdictional matters, regularly advising on merger clearances, cartels, regulatory investigations, and market inquiries. Based in Sydney, Melissa Fraser leads the team with strong knowledge of investigations and enforcement matters across a range of sectors. Also in Sydney is Peter Armitage, who advises on Australian Competition and Consumer Commission litigation, cartel investigations expert Ross Zaurrini, and Tihana Zuk, who often advises on competition issues in the digital economy. In Melbourne, Justin Jones advises clients that are active in the energy industry, while Brisbane-based Alyssa Phillips has in-depth experience in complex merger matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Ross Zaurrini is great technically but he is also highly commercial and pragmatic as well as being adept at simplifying concepts for clients. This means his advice meets the needs of the business.’
‘Great experience and depth. Calm, considered advice.’
‘Melissa Fraser is a stand out and proving to be a leader in this field. Takes great effort to learn about our business to deliver her advice in a commercially relevant way.’
‘What makes this practice unique is their capacity to absorb and analyse a significant amount of material so that when they prepare advice or strategy they have started with a very solid base. That solid base then gives them an excellent springboard to provide succinct, strategic advice to a range of entities and individuals who are confronted with competition and anti-trust issues either when they are expected or when indeed they least expect it.'
‘Ashurst has a large, experienced team. Its particular strengths are the depth of experience and insight, as well as the talent and capability across a large team of partners and senior lawyers.’
‘Peter Armitage has a huge experience base on which to draw and deliver great judgement on difficult strategic decisions.'
Key clients
- Woolworths
- Downer EDI
- Cleanaway
- Pernod Ricard
- Blackstone
- Woodside Energy
- Nippon Life
- Delta Agribusiness
- Cosette
- Callide Power Trading
- Hyundai Motor Company Australia
Work highlights
Advised Woolworths on the ACCC's 12-month inquiry into Australia's supermarket sector.
Advising Google on the final phase of the ACCC's Digital Platform Services Inquiry, focusing on recent international legislative and regulatory developments in markets for digital platform services and their impact on competition and consumers (including in relation to app stores, cloud services, and generative AI).
Representing Downer EDI Limited in relation to Federal Court proceedings commenced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission against its subsidiary, Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd, concerning allegations of civil cartel conduct in contracting with the Australian Department of Defence.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Melissa Fraser
Other key lawyers
Peter Armitage; Ross Zaurrini; Tihana Zuk; Justin Jones; Alyssa Phillips