Justin has close to 40 years legal experience, as solicitor (1985 – 1988), counsel (1989 onwards), and Senior Counsel (2000 onwards). He was the founding head of Banco Chambers, Sydney (2005 – 2012).
Most recently, he was the tenth Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia (2012 – 2016). He is widely acknowledged as one of Australia’s most preeminent barristers.
He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, of ACICA, and of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a prolific legal author. He is a member of the SIAC and HKIAC arbitral panels.
He specialises in international law, international arbitration, constitutional law, and appellate law. He is available accept appointments as arbitrator or expert determiner in both domestic and international matters, or to appear as counsel.
Tier 1 Leading Silk, Commercial Disputes
Star Individual, Dispute Resolution – Justin is “One of the finest barristers at the Australian Bar. He’s extremely intelligent and always comes up with new points. He will always find something novel in the matter and has the strength of mind to run it.” Justin is regarded as a “go-to silk” for many matters, with one peer commenting: ‘he has been in the High Court more times than anyone. He’s terrifying to be against’.
Band 1, Dispute Resolution – “Justin continues to be identified by interviewees as being ‘without doubt in the top echelons of the senior counsel ranks in Australia,’ one calling him ‘perhaps the best silk I’ve ever worked with – supremely talented on his feet and meticulous in preparation,’ while another remarks: ‘I’ve never seen a Bench that doesn’t give enormous weight to everything he says.’ His breadth of practice also wins him plaudits, not only for high-profile commercial work, where he is often instructed on appellate cases, but also in the spheres of insolvency, employment and international arbitration.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.