For more than 28 years, Ian has specialised in the resolution of corporate and commercial disputes. His practice spans corporate governance, product liability, financial services, commercial contracts, conflicts of interest, white collar fraud and admiralty law. Ian provides practical advice through a business lens.
Ian has an acute technical knowledge of the law. He is Corrs’ Ethics & Conflicts Partner, Professional Standards Partner and chairs a number of internal governance committees.
Ian is a member of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Law Council of Australia, which is responsible for developing and maintaining the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules as a uniform set of national conduct rules, and provides the Law Council with advice on legal profession regulatory laws, policies and ethics.
Key deals
Commonwealth of Australia
Acting for the Commonwealth of Australia in the defence of one of the largest class actions ever brought against it. The class action centred on alleged negligence and intentional torts by a Federal Regulator and its staff. The legal principles were complex, and their application to a Federal Regulator and its staff was largely untested in Australia.
International financial institution and its insurer
Acting for a major financial institution (and later its insurer) in proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW concerning a significant fraud committed by one of the institution's security traders. This involved numerous successful expedited Mareva injunction applications against multiple defendants (including the security trader) and the tracing, and recovery, of assets purchased with the misappropriated funds (including assets located outside of Australia).
BNP Paribas
Acting for BNP Paribas in a variety of complex disputes arising from its purchase of custodian businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Ian worked closely with BNPP and the vendors to resolve the disputes commercially and amicably outside the Court system.
Johnson & Johnson
Advising the Johnson & Johnson group of companies for over 20 years in relation to Australian product liability laws. This has included defending product liability claims spanning medical, pharmaceutical and consumer products across various Australian jurisdictions.
Product liability class action
Acting for a distributor of sea foods in the defence of a product liability class action brought in the Federal Court (arising from a contamination event) and in subsequent appeals to Full Federal Court and High Court. The distributor was successful (both at first instance and on appeal) in its defence of various negligence and statutory claims.
Admiralty Law
Acting for Programmed Total Marine (at first instance and on appeal) in proceedings in rem brought in the Federal Court against vessels operating on the ‘Gorgon Project’ (off the northwest coast of Western Australia). This involved the arrest of the vessels, the successful defence of a jurisdictional challenge to the proceedings and the recovery of monies for services provided to the vessels (in lieu of the vessels being released from arrest).