Advising a superannuation trustee about the enforceability of offset clauses in life insurance policies.

Advising National Rugby League club Sydney Roosters on the partnership deal that will see it play home games and finals at the Allianz Sydney Football Stadium for at least the next 25 years when it opens in 2022.

Advising Lone Star on its proposed (but ultimately unsuccessful) disposal of a controlling stake in Korea Exchange Bank (to both Kookmin and subsequently to HSBC for approximately US$3 billion).

Acted for Kimberley Ports Authority on port management agreement and associated arrangements for appointing a port manager at the Port of Wyndham, Western Australia.

Advising on acquisition of medicinal cannabis research and development company APIRx.

Advising the peak body for the Australian barley and malting industry, Barley Australia, on its merger with Grains Australia. Thomson Geer advised Barley Australia on the terms of the merger and on intellectual property matters.

Assisting a large international travel services organisation to enter the Australian market during changes to federal laws, including advising on transmission of business and award coverage issues and preparing all necessary employment-related documents.

Advising in relation to the establishment of the Escape Travel franchise, structure, documents (internal and external), including disclosure and other necessary documentation.

Advising a major property developer how to structure its sales and management process to recover from negligent preparation of documents that caused a risk of breaching the AFS provisions of the Corporations Act.

Partner Scott Castledine's class action experience includes successfully defending Deloitte in multiple class actions and other proceedings (NSW Supreme Court) arising out of the collapse of electronics retailer, Dick Smith, resulting in a successful discontinuance against Deloitte.

Negotiating and documenting a A$120 million club facility for the development of Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, by Beck group interests.

Advising the Government of South Australia in relation to the sale of an agency’s property portfolio with a value of $565.5 million.

Joanne provides regular advice to clients on disputes and appears in the Fair Work Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission on a wide range of disputes, ranging from unfair dismissals, general protections and discrimination matters, to disputes on the interpretation of enterprise agreements.

Advising Codafication on deployment of Codafication’s proprietary Virtual Assist, Crunchwork, and Unity Cloud business automation platforms-as-a-service, particularly with Suncorp, QBE, IAG, and other significant insurers and brokers.

Advising BHP Billiton on its major steel works remediation project on the Hunter River, Newcastle.

Advising the City of Sydney on all aspects of a tender for new street furniture and on street advertising – which is one of Australia’s most valuable outdoor advertising contracts.

Advising on enforcement of award made under the Convention for the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (ICSID), including issues of foreign state immunity.

Acting for a defendant in the class action brought by residents in Cranbourne, Victoria arising out of the escape of gas from an old council landfill which abutted a new residential development. The proceedings settled at mediation on confidential terms.

Advising gold miner Genesis Minerals on its acquisition of the Gwalia gold mine in Western Australia from fellow miner St Barbara for A$628 million and on a A$470 million capital raising by Genesis to fund the acquisition.

Acting for Eden Fishermen's Club in negotiating entry into a major joint venture development project involving the construction of a new clubhouse and establishing a lifestyle living community, creating a 'destination' for the NSW South Coast.

Advised the owner of social media and branding agency L&A Social in relation to the sale of all of the shares in the L&A Social to Tag Worldwide (Australia) Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Wertheimer UK Limited). The deal enables L&A Social to combine its social media expertise and Tag's strong end to end offering to provide a more holistic service and deliver continued growth for clients and businesses.

Advising the peak body for the Australian barley and malting industry, Barley Australia, on its merger with Grains Australia. Thomson Geer advised Barley Australia on the terms of the merger and on intellectual property matters.

Representing an executor to defend a claim by a disappointed beneficiary brought on the basis that the deceased lacked capacity to make a will.

Assisting South Africa-based seafood company, Sea Harvest Group Limited, on the acquisition of the Western Australia fishing assets of leading seafood company, MG Kailis. Thomson Geer advised Sea Harvest on all aspects of the deal, including securing a large number of approvals from a range of state and federal regulatory authorities, as well as assisting Sea Harvest with numerous property approvals, leases, sub-leases and licences.

Advising on the development of the retirement living, aged care and wellness precinct, Mark Moran Vaucluse.

Helping ASX-listed packaging and recycling company PACT Group in its acquisition of Synergy Packaging from international packaging company Berry Global Group. Thomson Geer assisted with all aspects of the transaction, including engagement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission which did not oppose the acquisition.

Providing extensive advice to corporate clients and various advertising agencies on trade practices and competition law issues in relation to pricing practices and advertising and marketing for television, radio and print media.

Representing an estate to defend a claim by friends of the deceased for the entire estate comprised of multiple properties to be transferred to them due to representations apparently made by the deceased during their lifetime.

Assisting with various commercial tasks including its establishment and then advising on clinical trial agreements, fundraising, and privacy law compliance.

Partner Scott Castledine acted for QBE in its defence of a securities class action (Federal Court of Australia) arising out of a $1 billion profit downgrade and “common fund” application.

Advising UK and Canadian listed Altus Strategies plc and United Arab Emirates specialist mining and streaming company AlphaStream Capital on their joint acquisition of a gold royalty portfolio from Newcrest Mining Limited valued at US$37.5 million.

Acting for a university as proprietor in relation to the major refurbishment of an iconic building and surrounds, and associated long term leasing arrangements, including advising and documenting arrangements for relocation and pop up/temporary accommodation.

Assisted gut health business Microba Life Sciences Ltd on its successful listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in an IPO that raised A$30 million.

Advising a well-known fashion designer to understand the Australian privacy and surveillance landscape and how it applies to their retail operations in Australia. The client was developing global surveillance policies and consents for its personnel, and we provided Australian law review.

Thomson Geer advising gold company Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX:GMD) on its merger with mining neighbour St Barbara Ltd (ASX:SBM) to form a leading Australian gold company to be called Hoover House.

Acting for Ferrier Hodgson in their capacity as receivers and managers of a pharmacy chain located across the Eastern seaboard. This included the negotiation and drafting of sale documentation in respect of several individual multi-million dollar businesses, together with the creation of security interests in certain personal property.

Acting for liquidators, Dye & Co in relation to IPO wealth Holdings No 10 Pty Ltd to obtain control of a company in England and companies in Italy which owned an island in Venice. This matter involved dealing with authorities in Venice in order to facilitate to sale of this asset and conducting public examinations of the company's directors and creditors.

Acting for ASX-listed Australian dental surgery chain 1300Smiles on its A$165 million sale to trans-Tasman dental operator Abano Healthcare Group.

Advising the CTP Regulator in relation to the entry of insurer Youi into the South Australian compulsory third party insurance market.

Drafting and advising on advertising celebrity agreements, sponsorship agreements and promotional agreements.

Advising ASX-listed cyber safety and security company Qoria on its acquisition of cyber safety firm Qustodio for US$52 million.

Assisting gut health business Microba Life Sciences Ltd on its successful listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in an IPO that raised A$30 million.

Joanne has conducted various investigations under the Public Interest Disclosure Act and Code of Conduct investigations under the Public Service Act.

Reviewing a major insurer’s product disclosure statement and heavy motor insurance policy with an emphasis on the use of plain English terminology and formatting suitable for online sales and promotion.

Acted for Liebherr Australia in negotiating an agreement for the joint development and supply of hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric mining haul trucks to Fortescue Future Industries.

Advising accountants and clients in negotiations with the ATO on substantive tax matters, including tax planning, structuring, penalty minimisation, and audit case management.

Thomson Geer won a landmark case clarifying for the Victorian building industry when the 10-year limitation period for commencing a building action takes effect. The win in the Victorian Court of Appeal overturned an earlier Supreme Court decision which held that where multiple occupancy permits are issued for the same building works, the limitation period under section 134 of the Building Act 1993 (Vic) commences on the date of the ‘final’ occupancy permit for the works.

Acting for the insurer in defending personal injury claims for damages arising from incidents that occurred in the heavy transport sector.

Acting for a superannuation trustee in circumstances where an employer had made mistaken superannuation contributions of approximately $85,000.

Advising for a Government Department in relation to the preparation of standard form building and infrastructure contracts and acting in relation to significant infrastructure disputes.

Advising on a large safety due diligence project for a large contractor involved in the sustainment of the Collins Class submarine fleet. This work included the delivery of a governance safety system to ensure leaders can deliver excellence in the governance of safety and compliance with its due diligence obligations under the harmonised Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws.

Advising Canada-focused uranium explorer 92 Energy Limited on its successful A$8.7 million capital raising using Canada’s flow-through share regime. This regime provides tax incentives to eligible Canadian investors and enables shares to be placed at a higher price than would otherwise be possible.

Drafting and advising on submissions to the Therapeutic Goods Administration in response to complaints under the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code.

Advising on the $130 million merger of the QBiotics Group, by the use of two schemes of arrangement to tophat existing companies, Qbiotics Limited and EcoBiotics Limited, with a new holding company, QBiotics Group Limited.

Advising the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation on the establishment of a renewable energy project partnership in Western Australia with ACEN Corp worth more than A$1 billion.

Representing AFL clubs, club officials, players and spectators in the AFL Tribunal in contested hearings and hearings on penalty.

Assisting lithium producer Piedmont Lithium Inc. on its successful US$130.8 million capital raising from investors to fund the expansion of its operations.

Acting for Queensland University of Technology in relation to rationalisation of its complex intellectual property ownership and commercialisation agreements with respect to gene edited bananas including drafting and negotiation of a Master Commercialisation Agreement with Australian Banana Research Pty Ltd, and subsequently acting in relation to drafting and negotiation of new research agreements.

Representing numerous Australian and international companies with household brand names brands in high stakes litigation in the Federal Court of Australia.

Acting for News Corp Australia in a world-first defamation case brought by a former youth offender, Dylan Voller, in which the High Court held that media outlets are publishers of comments made by third parties on their Facebook pages.

Assisting a global social media giant on the Australian components of their data breach response framework, including advising on the Australian notification requirements and considerations.

Lead adviser to Mineral Resources in relation to its proposed development and operation of a 25mtpa iron ore export transhipment terminal in the Port of Ashburton.

Acting for the liquidators of a listed entity in relation to priority disputes with PPSA creditors, providing advice as to vesting of interests under the PPSA, undertaking public examinations and acting in relation to a variety of proceedings, including uncommercial transaction proceedings and breach of director’s duties claims.

Advising on tax law administration, including appearing on behalf of taxpayers before ATO investigations, and dealing in white-collar crime including offences under the Criminal Code Act and the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Assisting a leading global automotive company to review and update their existing Australian privacy compliance program to create a robust framework that satisfies the Australian law requirements. As part of this matter, we assisted with audit procedures, followed by a review and update of existing privacy practices and procedures and a comprehensive all of company privacy training program.

Acting for a child care centre incubator client on the sale of a portfolio of childcare centres which formed the cornerstone operating sites to Nido Education Limited's contemporaneous $99.2 million capital raise and listing on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Advising multiple superannuation funds on the implementation of the financial accountability regime.

Advising Japanese food and beverage giant Kirin Holdings Company, Limited on its A$1.8 billion acquisition of Australian healthcare company Blackmores.

Acting for multinational healthcare and consumer goods company Reckitt alleging a competitor had infringed its trade mark on a popular dishwashing capsule.

Successfully defending Dee Why RSL Club which was the subject of a major disciplinary investigation into the conduct of gambling activities.

Advising ASX-listed Australian minerals explorer, Havilah Resources Limited on the proposed A$205 million acquisition of its Kalkaroo Project by OZ Minerals.

Advising a litigation funder in relation to a proposed class action involving allegations of very significant underpayment to employees across a chain of hospitality businesses.

Acting for an Australian bank in respect of its A$70 million corporate facilities to an integrated cattle business to assist with, amongst other things, its equity contribution towards the development of a cattle processing facility in northern Australia.

Advising the SmartSat CRC, a consortium of universities and other research organisations, on its IP management strategies.

Advising Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (Priceline) on performance management programs; dealing with long-term absentee employees; and enterprise agreements at distribution centres across Australia.

Acting for the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport in relation to the outsourcing of Across Government Facilities Management services worth $1.7 billion.

Acting for industrial and mining clients in relation to EPA prosecutions in the Land & Environment Court and other enforcement matters.

Advising on a merger with CDA Health, one of Australia's largest distributors of medicinal cannabis.

Acting for UniQuest (the commercialisation company for the University of Queensland) in relation to a range of intellectual property licensing and commercialisation transactions; drafting precedent document for UniQuest including confidentiality agreements and intellectual property commercialisation agreements; Katrina is the primary legal adviser for UniQuest.

Advising the client's multiple business units in Australia and New Zealand on an ongoing retainer for IT commercial projects, intellectual property ownership and licensing, and privacy compliance. This work included: negotiating multi-year contracts or extensions for supplying hardware, software-as-a-service and implementation services for fleet and asset management solutions, employee timesheet management and integration services with government agencies, transport authorities and operators.

Assisting with the detailed review of its governance arrangements to take into account changes in corporate governance practices, technology and legislation and on its membership terms and conditions.

Acting for a superannuation trustee in disability discrimination complaints to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Advising a major post-secondary education provider about a restructure of its businesses across Australia, including the strategy for implementation and communication of a large number of redundancies.

Acting for a superannuation trustee in circumstances where approximately $100,000 of misappropriated funds had been deposited into a member’s account.

Acting for InterGrain, a wheat, barley and oat breeder, in relation to multiple strategic alliances and technology commercialisation, including most recently in relation to the acquisition of a crop breeding program and commercialisation licence.

Acting for Dexus on the acquisition and development of a 127 hectare industrial estate at Ravenhall, Victoria, including drafting and negotiating complex lease documentation for tenants such as Amazon, Scalzo Foods, HelloFresh, eStore Logistics and Electrolux.

Advising ReNu Energy Limited (ASX:RNE) on its $100 million bioenergy alliance with Resonance Industrial Water Infrastructure Fund (RIWIF). ReNu is an independent power producer which delivers its customers with clean energy products, at a lower price, with no upfront costs.

Advising one of the world's largest digital asset exchanges on AI-drive product design in connection with licensing and commercial operations.

Advising investors and managers of listed and unlisted private equity and property funds in relation to structuring, acquisitions and divestments.

Joanne regularly provides work health and safety advice and training across Commonwealth and non-APS entities and assists agencies in responding to Comcare investigations.

Acting for Okeland Communities on its $75 million acquisition of its 252 hectare, 3500+ lot master-planned community site in Bullsbrook, Western Australia.

Advising a large corporate on creation of a tokenised retail fund where the underlying assets are litigation claims. The matter involves multiple jurisdictions.

Appointed by the NSW Supreme Court as a trustee for sale of a parcel of rural land in NSW during the course of a dispute by the owners of the land.

Advising the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation on the establishment of a renewable energy project partnership in Western Australia with ACEN Corp worth more than A$1 billion.

Acting for irrigation schemes and unincorporated associations in relation to their irrigation infrastructure, constitutions including rights and obligations of members and the transfer of water entitlements between outgoing members and incoming members.

Acting for a litigation guardian in Supreme Court proceedings to recover a property an elderly person transferred to a family member in circumstances where the person could not comprehend the nature and effect of the transaction. Also advised on separate proceedings to enable a Guardian and Financial Manager to be appointed to assist the elderly person outside of the proceedings.

Acting for the Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) on the drafting, development and consultation of the AFIA Car Rental Code of Practice. The Code for members of AFIA, who have approximately 75% of the total market share by revenue of the car rental market in Australia, went live on 1 March 2018.

Advising one of the world's largest digital asset exchanges on complicated AFSL applications, and associated structuring advice.

Advising Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Project on the A$260 million Lifehouse facility for the provision of integrated cancer services in a new purpose-built facility on the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital campus in Sydney.

Successfully defending Network Ten against Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case with a judge finding, on the balance of probabilities, that Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins in a ministerial office in Parliament House.