DLA Piper > Perth, Australia > Firm Profile

DLA Piper > The Legal 500 Rankings

Australia > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

DLA Piper‘s team handles a broad range of high-value and high-profile domestic and international arbitrations. Sydney-based Gitanjali Bajaj and Cameron Scholes are experienced in handling arbitrations for leading industry sectors, including oil and gas, renewables, construction and transport. Liam Prescott, based in Brisbane, is particularly active in the energy, transport, technology, mining , and resources sectors. Melbourne-based Gowri Kangeson is qualified in Malaysia, England, Wales and Australia. In Perth, Richard Edwards is noted for his expertise in representing clients in alternative forms of dispute resolution, from arbitration to mediation.

Australia > Data protection Tier 2

Lauded for its ‘extensive experience in data breach and cyber security related matters’, DLA Piper is well-equipped to handle a variety of cyber incidents. Tim Lyons leads the practice from Melbourne, and often advises clients on data breach incidents, while Sydney-based Nicholas Boyle is knowledgeable of the Privacy Act. Working out of Melbourne, Sarah Birkett is a key contact for healthcare sector clients on privacy obligations.

Australia > Infrastructure projects and construction Tier 2

Recommended for its ‘commitment, dedication and efficiency‘, the construction, infrastructure and project finance sector group at DLA Piper fields a team of ‘full of excellent professional‘ with integrated commercial and contentious capabilities, supporting institutions, developers, investors, public authorities and contractors. Team co-head Richard Edwards handles construction disputes both through litigation and forms of alternative dispute resolution, while international co-head of projects Alyson Eather has longstanding experience of complex infrastructure matters. John Gallagher is a go-to for project structuring solutions, while Gitanjali Bajaj is experienced in high-value international arbitrations.

Australia > Insurance Tier 2

Bolstered by the firms’ litigation and regulatory expertise, the insurance team at DLA Piper regularly handles insurance related criminal prosecutions, transactions, and acquisitions. Samantha O’Brien and James Morse jointly lead the team from Brisbane and Sydney, respectively, advising on life insurance portfolios and sales and purchase agreements. Tricia Hobson is another name to note, while Sophie Devitt assists with discretionary risk arrangements.

Australia > Intellectual property Tier 2

DLA Piper houses an ‘impressive team of experienced IP litigators’, and is spearheaded by Melbourne-based Robynne Sanders, often acting for major international and domestic clients in the technology, retail, and life sciences sectors. With particular expertise in patent disputes, Nicholas Tyacke and Greg Bodulovic are well-equipped to handle copyright infringement, and breach of contract matters. Jessie Buchan is another name to note for her global trade mark portfolio work.

Australia > Natural resources (transactions and regulatory) Tier 2

DLA Piper is noted for its broad expertise spanning finance, project development, regulatory, transactional, and dispute resolution matters. The team is highly active in the mining, oil, gas, and renewables sectors, and sits on key panels for multinational fossil fuel, logistics, and mining companies. Co-head Alex Jones is a mining expert noted for his strong negotiation skills and deep regulatory knowledge. Alex Regan’s project finance expertise spans acquisitions, restructures, and major mining projects. James Nicholls advises both domestic and international clients on complex M&A, IPOs, capital raisings, and regulatory matters.

Australia > Capital markets Tier 3

Australia > Competition and trade Tier 3

DLA Piper‘s Melbourne-based competition team acts for major companies and regulatory bodies, with particular experience advising the ACCC in sensitive, often high-profile matters. Its expertise spans merger clearances, cartel investigations, and misuse of dominance issues. Team head Simon Uthmeyer handles both advisory and contentious matters including the economic regulation of infrastructure monopolies. Fleur Gibbons is experienced in economic regulatory proceedings, while John Fogarty is a litigation go-to.

Australia > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

DLA Piper‘s cross-border capabilities are evidenced by its frequent activity on multi-jurisdictional commercial transactions. The technology sector is a key area of focus for the team, in which it acts for corporate, private equity and venture capital clients. Team head Shane Bilardi is noted for his activity on large-scale private M&A transactions in the digital infrastructure and agriculture sectors. Grant Koch departed the practice in January 2024.

Australia > Dispute resolution: class actions Tier 3

DLA Piper‘s class actions team handles a wide range of matters within class actions both domestically and internationally, as well as mass tort litigation. Team members have been involved in the AFL concussion class actions issued in the Supreme Court of Victoria, as well as other high-profile matters. Kieran O’Brien co-leads the litigation and regulatory team with Liam Prescott, and Tricia Hobson has covered class actions relating to natural catastrophes, securities, mass tort, construction and infrastructure. James Morse and Cameron Scholes are also key practitioners in the firm.

Australia > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Led by commercial litigation specialist Liam Prescott, DLA Piper’s team includes lawyers based in four offices in Australia who collaborate with each other in all areas of commercial disputes, investigations, insurance litigation and construction disputes. The firm’s global status enables it to handle disputes for both Australian and international clients, with the Australian offices working closely with other DLA Piper offices across the globe on matters involving Australian law. Gitanjali Bajaj is the Asia Pacific co-head of international arbitration and the regional lead for the firm’s India group in Australia. Tricia Hobson handles multi-party litigation, cross-border disputes and investigations.

Australia > Energy (transactions and regulatory) Tier 3

DLA Piper's energy and natural resources sector team offers industry expertise across renewables, oil and gas, and mining, often advising clients on the transition to renewable power and sustainable practices. Alex Jones  co-chairs the sector group internationally from Perth, handling major infrastructure projects. In Brisbane, Stephen Webb  combines experience of construction and project finance to provide sensitive, strategic advice. Chris Mitchell, based in Melbourne, focuses on advising investors on renewable and sustainable acquisitions.

Australia > Fintech and financial services regulatory Tier 3

Australia > Labour and employment Tier 3

A trusted advisor to international corporations and financial services companies, DLA Piper's employment team is adept at handling a broad range of litigation and compliance matters. Employment law specialist Nicholas Turner heads up the practice, and Mitch Robertson advises on restrictive covenants and bargaining processes. Clancy King acts for international corporations across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, while Elizabeth Cole assists with regulatory issues.

Australia > Native title Tier 3

Australia > Real estate Tier 3

A strong choice for national and international corporations on real estate investment, DLA Piper handles property acquisitions, disposals, and development projects. Kate Pickthall leads the practice from Sydney and is often engaged in distressed real estate transactions. Sallie Bowtell’s caseload encompasses renewable energy initiatives, Stephanie Lambert is versed in renewable projects, while Eagul Faigen is proficient in leasing. In Brisbane, Harry Stone is noted for his greenfield and brownfield development capabilities.

Australia > White-collar crime Tier 3

DLA Piper works on major international fraud cases, with a strong focus on insolvency and regulatory matters, with capabilities across the energy, mining, and insurance sectors. Team head Natalie Caton is known for her expertise in corporate reputation and risk management, while accredited litigator John Fogarty leads on ASIC commenced investigations. Melbourne-based Gowri Kangeson and Jason Choi are other key contacts, further bolstering the team’s expertise in enforcement proceedings and procurement.

Australia > Banking and finance Tier 4

DLA Piper continues to advise on a broad spectrum of work, including leveraged finance, real estate and construction lending, and asset finance. Financial services clients also regularly call upon the team to act in corporate transactional matters. The practice benefits from the expertise of Onno Bakker, who regularly acts for major investment banks, sponsors, and corporates. Hugo Thistlewood has deep experience with debt finance matters, including surety bonds.

Australia > IT and telecoms Tier 4

DLA Piper’s broad caseload encompasses data protection, FinTech transactions, IT implementation projects, and regulatory compliance. Tim Lyons oversees the team from Melbourne and is knowledgeable of the procurement aspects of outsourcing transactions, while Sarah Birkett is skilled at cybersecurity. In Sydney, Nicholas Boyle assists clients on the digital transformation of businesses.

Australia > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 4

DLA Piper‘s experienced restructuring and insolvency team boasts ‘significant technical knowledge’, and advises on complex security and priority arrangements, and insolvency structuring issues. Regularly advising cross-border clients in the Asia Pacific region, ‘outstanding’, team head Naomi Moore is a key contact for major cross-border insolvency matters, while Lionel Meehan specialises in major restructuring matters. Amy Nolan assists with performance bond issuing and liquidation proceedings.

Australia > Tax Tier 4

The tax practice at DLA Piper, which is led by Jock McCormack, regularly assists with the full range of tax matters pertaining to transactions in the real estate, funds, and energy and resources sectors. Eddie Ahn handles funds transactions, while Adam Smith leads on income tax and stamp duty matters. Jun Au brings expertise in corporate structuring and M&A.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms

DLA Piper has a notable presence in arbitration work in the Pacific region. In Australia, Sydney-based Gitanjali Bajaj and Cameron Scholes, Brisbane’s Liam Prescott, Melbourne’s Gowri Kangeson, and Perth’s Richard Edwards handle high-profile arbitrations across industries such as energy, transport, and construction. In New Zealand, Iain Thain leads a prominent practice. Turning to South East Asia, in Thailand Don Rojanapenkul and Robert Tang bring strong cross-border and international arbitration experience to the firm’s offerings.