White-Collar Crime & Corporate Investigations
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 9230 4000About
Provided by Allens
Allens' team of specialist anti-bribery lawyers has years of experience advising clients globally. We specialise in drafting and implementing policies and procedures to prevent bribery and in investigations by anti-corruption bodies including the Australian Federal Police, the US Department of Justice and SEC and the UK Serious Fraud Office.
We have conducted a significant number of independent investigations for clients that have identified bribery, fraud, anti-money laundering or related improper financial conduct. This includes ensuring appropriate governance of the independent investigation, conduct of evidence review and advising on legal exposure and remedial steps.
We have considerable experience advising on the implementation of anti-bribery programs with global application across business operations. This includes developing policies, training programs and corporate governance tools that are appropriately tailored to the bribery risk that is faced by your business.
The breadth of our experience across numerous industries and jurisdictions means that we do not simply recommend 'standard' anti-bribery policies that may impinge upon your legitimate business winning practices with unnecessary internal procedures. Instead, we quickly identify areas of high risk in your business, and provide tailored, workable tools to avoid engaging in corrupt conduct. This targeted approach minimises disruption to your business while meeting the compliance expectations of regulators.
Chambers Review
Allens maintains an experienced practice, widely acknowledged for its sophisticated offering that spans a broad range of white-collar crime issues and corporate investigations, includingexpertise in risk management and compliance issues, transactional due diligenceand supportin regulatory and criminal investigations. The firm is notably active counselling clients on the effective conduct of their own internal inquiries. It is well-versed in dealing with corporate regulators and the Australian Federal Police, and backed byan ability to tap into a global network of similarly specialised practitioners.
Work Highlights
- Allens acted for PwC Australia and PwC International in relation to breaches of confidential Treasury information and have advised it in a Senate and Parliamentary inquiry into accounting firms, and investigations by Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand and the Tax Practitioners Board.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Allens were able to understand the complicated commercial realities of our business thoroughly."
"The partners are all responsive and are able to turn advice around quickly when required. They are all experts in their field and I have full confidence in the advice they provide."
"Allens were able to understand the complicated commercial realities of our business thoroughly."
"The partners are all responsive and are able to turn advice around quickly when required. They are all experts in their field and I have full confidence in the advice they provide."
Notable Practitioners
Rachel Nicolson is a leading figure in the market who frequently acts for clients on investigations and disputes. She also provides regulatory and due diligence advice.
"Rachel Nicolson is a creative lawyer with excellent technical skills. She is solutions-oriented and is such a good operator that she impresses immediately."
Peter Haig has a broad range of expertise relating to anti-bribery and anti-money laundering law, frequently assisting clients in relation to investigations, inquiries and prosecutions.
"Pete is phenomenally committed, deeply experienced and commercially minded. He is creative and artful in his positioning of matters and provision of advice."
Christopher Kerrigan leverages his experience in corporate crime and risk and compliance to guide clients on an array of issues, such as responding to AUSTRAC investigations and whistle-blower complaints.
"Christopher Kerrigan is a strong adviser on white-collar issues. He has good knowledge of front-end compliance and disputes and investigations."