The 2022 Asia Pacific Australian Bar Legal 500 rankings have been released and New Chambers has been recognised as a Tier 1 set in two practice areas. Sixteen of our members have also been recognised, covering three practice areas.
COMMERCIAL DISPUTES
Tier 1 Set:
New Chambers has a strong offering across all areas of commercial, insurance and public law, appearing before courts of all levels, tribunals and arbitration panels across Australia and internationally. The Sydney-based set offers a London-style practice management model, led by senior clerk Michael Wilcox, and includes a number of senior practitioners with strong reputations in the Australian market. David Jackson AM QC is a leading appellate silk with a successful record before the High Court, and is regularly instructed by Government agencies. Neil Young QC is highly regarded for his commercial and corporate work in areas such as trade practices and taxation. Michael Hodge QC is heavily involved in high-profile disputes before federal courts, representing Grocon in Grocon Group Holdings Pty Ltd v Infrastructure NSW before the NSW Supreme Court, a bet-the-company dispute relating to the company’s right to develop Central Barangaroo. Catherine Gleeson appeared before the Federal Court for Royal Caribbean Cruises in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd v Reed; Royal Caribbean Cruises v Browitt, an application for anti-suit injunction seeking to restrain passengers injured in the Whakaari / White Island eruption from proceedings with claims in the Florida Courts.
Leading Silks Band 1
David Jackson AM QC – ‘Outstanding – the top High Court advocate in Australia. An unsurpassed expert on constitutional law.’
David Bloom QC – ‘Outstanding counsel. Top of the tree in Australia for Taxation matters.’
Kate Eastman AM SC – ‘Highest profile EEO/human rights silk in NSW but also great at general employment work.’
Arthur Moses SC – ‘One of Australia’s leading senior workplace relations and safety barristers.’
Neil Young QC – ‘A complex litigation expert and pre-eminent Australian barrister.’
Leading Silks Band 2:
Michael Hodge SC – ‘A high profile senior counsel briefed as counsel assisting on the Financial Services Royal Commission.’
Leading Juniors Band 1:
Chris Peadon – New Chambers ‘One of the best senior-juniors in the tax space at the Sydney Bar. Good tax barrister, approachable and does mixed work for taxpayers and the Commissioner.’
Luke Livingston SC – New Chambers ‘ Luke offers excellent knowledge of the law, the ability to analyse problems and distill issues effectively, clear and concise written submissions, and most importantly excellent advocacy skills in both cross-examination and oral submissions (he commands the respect of the Court at both trials and in the Court of Appeal).
Leading Juniors Band 2:
Catherine Gleeson -‘ Intelligent, knowledgeable, experienced, fights her client’s corner without ever arguing the unarguable or ridiculous. ‘
Greg O’Mahoney – ‘ Calm under pressure, focuses on real issues that will matter and good advocate and client liaison skills. ‘
Caspar Conde – ‘ Caspar is extremely easy to work with, hard-working and judicious. His drafting is excellent and his decision-making is first-rate – particularly as to tactical matters. His advocacy is economical and effective and he reads judges very well – knowing exactly what they want to hear from him. ‘
Courtney Ensor – ‘ Her strengths are: intelligence, hard-working, eye for detail, initiative where she sees things needed to be done. Advocacy skills are strong – I’ve seen her do cross-examinations involving complex financial arrangements with clarity and confidence. ‘
Rising Stars:
Emma Beechey – ‘She works hard to keep a matter on track, provides great support to her leaders, calm under pressure, clear drafting style, always well prepared.’
Michael Cosgrove –Solid Junior, very thorough and technical.’
Keni Josifoski -‘Competent, hardworking and knowledgeable. A confident and well-prepared advocate. ‘
Sonia Tame – ‘Her years in private practice as a partner at an international commercial law firm are apparent in the commerciality of the advice that she provides.’
COMPETITION
Leading Silks Band 1:
Neil Young QC – ‘Outstanding – an excellent appellate advocate across a range of areas and strong in a wide range of commercial litigation. ’
Leading Silks Band 2:
Michael Hodge QC – ‘Michael is an outstanding advocate and very commercial. He can digest and advocate a position with ease and in the most favourable way for a client. Michael is one of the new generation of leading silks at the Australian Bar.’
CRIME and REGULATORY (INCLUDING WHITE COLLAR CRIME)
Tier 1 Set
New Chambers has members engaged in corporate crime and white-collar matters for a range of private clients as well as government agencies including the Australian Taxation Office and the Commission Against Corruption. Greg O’Mahoney appears led and unled in cases dealing with market abuse and manipulation, insider trading, and corruption, and is currently the lead junior in the Ruby Princess case, acting for Carnival PLC and Princess Cruises in the criminal investigation relating to responsibility for a high-profile COVID outbreak in New South Wales and elsewhere.
Leading Juniors:
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