Dispute Resolution: The Bar

Tenth Floor Wentworth Selborne Chambers is noted for the high proportion of senior counsel in its membership and for an especially strong group of barristers acting across the full range of intellectual property issues. Other areas of noted strength are the taxation and insurance fields, and the set also hosts noteworthy class action prowess and a wealth of international experience, putting it on more than one instructing solicitor's list of most favoured sets. Sources highly value the quality of both senior and junior counsel at the set, with one stating: "Tenth Floor is one of the strongest chambers in Sydney, with top-quality barristers at all levels." Another interviewee adds: "They are all excellent: good on their feet and in written work, calm under pressure and user-friendly." Emma Hoolahan is the clerk and chief contact for enquiries.

Anthony Bannon SC commands respect at the Sydney Bar, being nearly as celebrated for his versatile general commercial practice as he is for his mastery of the full range of intellectual property work. "Tony Bannon is one of the leading barristers." "He is one of the seniors leading the IP field."

Brendan Sullivan SC is a highly respected player in the tax law space, with extensive experience representing both taxpayers and the tax authorities. Interviewees particularly appreciate his collegiate approach to the running of a case and the clarity both of his thought and of his persuasive submissions to the Bench.

Frances St John is active across all the key intellectual property disciplines and, despite her relatively junior status, regularly acts unled in superior court litigation. "Frances has really taken to the Bar. She has bettered silks, and I rate her very highly."

John Hennessy SC offers some 25 years' experience, covering all areas of the discipline, at the intellectual property Bar, and enjoys a reputation as a silk of great strategic insight who is particularly well regarded for his handling of copyright and trade mark issues. His skills are particularly sought after where IP issues arising in the broadcast media sector are concerned. "John is fantastic, tough and very protective of his clients' interests and the solicitors who brief him." "I am always impressed with him. He is thorough, very personable when it comes to talking the client through the strategy, pleasant to work with, well organised and intelligent."

Matthew Darke SC features on several Sydney solicitors' lists of the barristers they would most want to instruct on a major piece of litigation, being particularly well known for his handling of financial services-related briefs, but cited also for competition and consumer law and intellectual property work. "Matthew is my go-to silk for almost every matter. He is superb, calm, measured, excellent in court with different judges and good with clients." "He is a very bright barrister. He is extremely sharp and well prepared, on top of the issues and easy to work with."

Neil Murray SC stands out for his assured handling of patent and copyright litigation cases, offering particularly noteworthy experience where disputes arising in the life sciences and media sectors are concerned. "I have been against Neil Murray and he did a very good job for his client."

Steven Finch SC is noted for his handling of large-scale corporate disputes, including high-profile class actions, and for a breadth of practice which covers such diverse areas as financial services, insurance and product liability. "He is still busy and very, very good."

Angus Lang SC is active in all areas of IP work, with a particularly busy practice where patent litigation in the pharmaceutical and TMT sectors is concerned. "I find him to be quick, astute and very good at what he does. He is very down-to-earth and no-nonsense. I will not hesitate to brief him again." "Angus is highly regarded."

James Lockhart SC maintains a varied commercial practice, extending across – but by no means confined to – such areas as competition, insolvency, insurance and professional liability, and incorporating substantial experience in the handling of class action briefs. "He is a very capable and clever lawyer. He is very good to work with, astute and extracts everything out of the case." "James is easy to work with, responsive, takes on board solicitors' suggestions and works with us in a collaborative way. He has very good judgement and ideas on how to best represent the case. I am happy and will continue to use him."