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Australia
3

Dispute resolution: litigation

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Mills Oakley

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Mills Oakley maintains a strong position in commercial disputes and insolvency litigation, handling complex and high-stakes matters across Australia. Clients highlight the team’s ‘deep understanding of litigation-related issues’. Andrew Brown in Melbourne leads the team and has a track record representing clients before the High Court of Australia, as well as the Federal Courts. The highly regarded Bernice Ellis is especially experienced in insolvency litigation and partnership and shareholder disputes. Stephen Dickens navigates insolvency and banking disputes with governance-focused advice, while Ariel Borland excels in insolvency litigation. Taline Chater secures strategic settlements in corporate disputes, and Darren James handles class actions and arbitration. January 2025 saw the departure of senior partner Stuart Walter.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is well-equipped to handle complex litigation and is a pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘Kirsten Farmer, Isabella Marriott - a strong team, with Kirsten supporting and allowing Isabella to develop into a capable and strong practitioner. ’

  • ‘Good strong balanced team. ’

  • ‘Bernice Ellis is outstanding and a key part of the MO practice. Outstanding individual with good business and personal skills.'

  • ‘Understands the commercial side of the legal issues and how to work with the client to advise through the options.’

  • ‘Genuine, looking to add value and not just find ways to charge fees. Ashley Tiplady and Andrew G have provided great work.’

  • ‘Great commercial operators.’

Key clients

  • FTI Consulting (Provisional Liquidators)
  • Fitz Jersey Pty Limited
  • Telstra Super Pty Ltd as trustee for the TelstraSuper Superannuation Fund
  • Andrew Jolley
  • Varley Group
  • Perron Group
  • Estate of Helena Talacko
  • Batchfire Resources Pty Ltd
  • Rirratjingu Traditional Owners

Work highlights

Acted for FTI Consulting, the Provisional Liquidators of eight companies in liquidation, in a proceeding brought in the Federal Court of Australia for the recovery of approximately AUD$50,000,000 in funds and assets arising from the involvement of directors of the entities in an alleged tax avoidance scheme.
Acted for Varley Group in defending the circa $40m claim issued against it by the Victorian State Emergency Service in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Acted for Mazda Australia in the Federal Court of Australia proceeding brought against it by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Practice head

Andrew Brown

Other key lawyers

Kirsten Farmer; Bernice Ellis; Ashley Tiplady; Andrew Greenhalgh; Stephen Dickens; Ariel Borland; Taline Chater; Darren James