Having acted for and against media companies over the course of decades, we are experienced in all forms of media cases. This includes media misconduct and intrusion, defamation and injurious falsehood, image-based claims against the media and complaints to the Press Council of Australia. We also advise clients on issues management and communication strategy when a false narrative needs to be corrected or when a sensitive matter is to be publicly addressed.

In addition to our contribution to law reform in this area, we regularly advise and act on behalf of persons and companies targeted in malicious online campaigns aimed at damaging the reputation of an individual or an organisation. We are experienced in engaging with social media platforms in relation to online posts and reviews, as well as seeking urgent intervention in instances of cyberbullying, privacy breaches, hate speech, identity fraud and other unlawful acts. We have unrivalled experience in using legal and investigative tools to ‘unmask’ anonymous publishers as well as engaging with the relevant regulatory and law enforcement bodies to ensure that perpetrators are held to account.

We advise and represent individuals and corporate clients who have been directly accused or associated with misconduct in a range of forums, capacities and levels of severity. Misconduct can be alleged in many ways - criminal conduct (including white collar crime, fraud and evasion), civil negligence, professional misconduct or more formally in a regulatory investigation or commissions of inquiry as is the case with corruption. We adopt a ‘whole of matter’ approach to cases involving allegations of misconduct, giving careful consideration pathways to the matter escalating as well as media management. We represent clients in criminal and civil legal proceedings, Royal Commissions, parliamentary inquiries and hearings and regulatory investigations, complaints processes and disciplinary matters. We also deal with allegations of misconduct in private companies and institutions such as schools, universities and religious organisations.

In a highly connected data-driven world, there is an increased prevalence of misuse of private information and breaches of confidence. We see these threats arising from routine data leaks, fractured personal or family relationships, opportunistic persons engaged in criminal extortion or bad leavers from workplaces. We have a proven track record of successfully utilising legal processes to protect the privacy of our clients in this rapidly evolving area of the law. Using our skilled data, technology and cyber analytics experts, we have been able to quickly identify perpetrators, preserve evidence of wrongdoing and quarantine information improperly obtained. We have been able to effectively protect against future misuse by secured undertakings or injunctive orders from the Court. We have also been able to obtain financial compensation for our clients in the form of Court awarded damages. We also proactively advise clients on the ongoing control and protection of private, confidential and sensitive information.

We have specialist expertise in significant commercial disputes, particularly where complex legal issues arise. We act in a range of courts and tribunals as well as commercial arbitrations. We commonly act in cases involving allegations of misleading and deceptive conduct or intellectual property disputes. We also have specialist expertise in advising on insurance coverage and handling with insurance indemnity disputes. While we are focussed on winning cases, we will always work within the framework of a client’s commercial objectives.

Investigations, whistle-blower claims and separations, forced or voluntary, represent a significant threat to reputations of companies, directors and employees. We are renowned for our involvement in some of Australia’s most high-stakes employment disputes, fighting hard to protect the reputations of our clients from both internal and external forces. We are regularly called upon to advise on terms of separation agreements to protect against potential future reputational damage.

Sporting disputes, particularly involving misconduct, have the potential to significantly damage the reputation and commercial interests of participants, clubs, associations and sponsors. We are highly experienced in dealing with sporting disputes providing representation at all levels in a range of forums (including the Court of Arbitration for Sport both domestically in Australia and in Lausanne, Switzerland) on a range of issues including on-field conduct sanctions, doping, qualification and selection disputes. We have specific expertise in advising on disrepute claims and arising contractual disputes.

A key aspect of managing reputational threats is advising clients on stakeholder management. This includes internal and external business and media communications plans, making notifications to regulators, ASX disclosures and dealing with contractual obligations and notices required. Legally, we also have specialist expertise in managing the transfer of risk to insurers and dealing with all aspects of making a claim for indemnity under a policy of insurance.