Having acted for and against the media over the course of decades, we are experienced in all forms of media cases including 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 challenged and corrected and when a sensitive matter needs to be addressed.

In addition to being highly regarded thought leaders in this area, we regularly advise and act on behalf of persons targeted in malicious online campaigns to damage the reputation of an individual or business or not for profit organisation. We have specialist expertise in engaging with social media platforms in relation to online posts and reviews as well as seeking urgent intervention in instances of cyber bullying, hate speech and identity fraud.

We advise and represent individuals and corporate clients who have been directly accused or of associated with misconduct in a range of forums, capacities and levels of severity. Misconduct can take on many forms – criminal conduct (including white collar crime, fraud and evasion), civil negligence or 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 matters involving allegations of misconduct giving consideration pathways to the matter escalating as well as communications. 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 have specialist expertise dealing with educational institutions and religious organisations.

In a highly connected data driven world, there is an increasing prevalence of misuse of private information and breaches of confidence. We see these threats arising from routine data leaks, fractured personal 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 IT 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 misconduct 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 and confidence information.

We have specialist expertise in significant commercial disputes particularly where complex legal issues. 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 your 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 routinely called upon to advise on terms of separation agreements and deeds from a reputational protection perspective.

Sporting disputes, particularly involving misconduct and allegations of disrepute, have enormous potential to damage the reputation and commercial interests of participants, clubs/associations and sponsors. We are highly experienced in sporting disputes having provided representation at all levels in in a range of forums including the Court of Arbitration for Sport both locally and in Lausanne

A key aspect of managing reputational threats is advising clients on stakeholder management when faced with a reputational threat. This includes internal and external business and media communications, making notifications to regulators, ASX disclosures and dealing with contractual obligations and notices required. We also have specialist expertise in managing the transfer of risk to insurers.