About Ross Drinnan
Ross is a market-leading disputes lawyer. He has extensive experience defending commercial disputes, class actions and enforcement matters. He regularly advises global companies facing cross-border claims that require defence strategy to be coordinated with international counsel.
He has acted for a broad range of sophisticated clients and recognises that the approach to each defence engagement depends on the unique strategic priorities and circumstances. Sometimes that requires running a matter to trial, while at others—a strategy designed to achieve pre-trial resolution.
Ross has worked extensively with boards, senior executives and corporate counsel—both in times of crisis management and in setting strategy for disputes and investigations.
His clients have included KPMG, Citibank, Westpac, National Australia Bank, BNY Mellon, Tesla, Super Retail Group, Origin, Vodafone, Du Pont and Aristocrat, among others.
Ross is a director of the Law Council of Australia and a member of the International Association of Defence Counsel and the International Bar Association. He has been independently recognised as a leader in his field by: Chambers Asia-Pacific, Doyle's Guide, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers.Significant matters include:
Commercial litigation and class actions
- KPMG: defending several complex matters, including class actions. Those have included matters concerning MFS Premium Income Fund, Equititrust, Trilogy, ALS, Gunns and Downer EDI
- Citibank: defence of the Australian FX cartel class action brought against five global banks. This matter has been settled, subject to court approval
- National Australia Bank: acting for trustees in the MySuper class action concerning breach of trustee obligation allegations. The court has approved settlement in this matter
- Tesla: defending a class action concerning alleged misrepresentations and product issues with Tesla vehicles
- Westpac: acted for the bank on a range of commercial disputes, including the bank fee class actions commenced on behalf of a combined group of approximately 50,000 customers
- Aristocrat: leading the defence team for the shareholder class action. This was a landmark case and the first matter of its type to proceed to trial in Australia
- Vodafone: acted in relation to a range of claims and a threatened class action arising out of network disruption issues
- Du Pont: defended a series of product liability claims concerning the fungicide known as Benlate.
Enforcement
- BNY Mellon: acted for Pershing (a BNY Mellon subsidiary) in a criminal prosecution for breach of client money provisions under the Corporations Act
- Betfair: acted for Betfair (a Crown subsidiary) in a criminal prosecution under NSW betting and racing legislation.