Hamish McNair
Hall & WilcoxHall & Wilcox acts from six offices in Australia, and its commercial dispute resolution team is noted for the full service provided to clients, from commercial litigation, including contractual and banking and finance disputes, to employment disputes. Mark Petrucco leads the practice and, alongside Graydon Dowd, acts on behalf of a number of national and international clients in high-profile commercial litigation and disputes in the financial services sector. Penelope Ford handles construction and project disputes for a range of commercial and government clients, and Hamish McNair is a name to note for his experience as a commercial litigator, as well as handling corporate and trust disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team provides clear, direct advice and works with you to achieve the outcome. There is great strategic/strategy thinking and development and as a client I was kept informed throughout the process.’
‘Professional, committed and passionate about their work.’
‘Excellent capability at partner level in dispute resolution, with a strong breadth of experience across key dispute areas and a willingness to focus on client outcomes rather than process and legal arguments. Strong use of technology and creativity with fee options to manage costs in large disputes.’
‘Katherine Payne is a standout performer in the litigation team. She has outstanding client skills, a willingness to work towards her client's commercial objectives rather than be dictated by legal process, and a measured approach to dispute resolution. We rate Katherine very highly for her expertise in commercial dispute resolution and insolvency.’
‘It comes down to the service provided by Kathryn Howard. She is an exceptional solicitor. It’s her ability to add considerable value to the barrister team (and to service the client’s needs) that sets the firm apart.'
‘Kathryn thinks very deeply about each matter. She has tremendous command of the detail. But she also considers each matter from a strategic perspective. She is an exceptional instructing solicitor. I thoroughly enjoy working with her.’
Key clients
- Westpac
- PwC
- Deloitte
- Ericsson Australia
- Isuzu
- Nutrien Ag Solutions Ltd
- Australian Unity
- Head, Transport for Victoria
- Airco Fasteners
Work highlights
- Acted for the Liquidators of the Hastie Group from 2014 until March 2024.
- Acted for the former CEO and CFO of Dick Smith, in a proceeding brought against them in the Commercial List of the Supreme Court of NSW by National Australia Bank and HSBC Bank Australia and subsequent appeals to the NSW Court of Appeal and the High Court.
- Acted for the former Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia in response to a notice he received from the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mark Petrucco