PHI FINNEY MCDONALD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head of Client Engagement
Andreas brings over 21 years of Operational and Client Services experience to PFM.
Over this period, he has worked at some of the world's largest Custodial Banks and Fund Managers including Macquarie, Deutsche Bank, Royal Bank of Canada and Schroders. Most of his career has been spent in the Global Securities Class Action Aggregator sector. More recently, in 2013 he relocated from London to Melbourne to head up the Asia Pacific Operations for Goal Group Australia and was responsible for the Business Development and Operational functions in the region.
As Head of Client Engagement, Andreas will be using all of his experience to develop our Operations and Clients Services area into the best of breed in our industry. We are focused on our relationships with our partners and clients, from our largest to our smallest.
Annabelle is committed to seeking legal redress on behalf of persons who face barriers to justice and to ensuring that corporations are held accountable to stakeholders for their environmental, social and governance impacts.
Annabelle has 16 years of litigious and non-litigious legal experience in human rights, environmental justice, planning law and product stewardship. In particular, she has advised and represented First Nations Peoples in the recognition and management of their land and cultural heritage rights and represented Local Government Authorities and individuals in planning law matters.
Drawn to the need for regenerative solutions for the state of our environment, Annabelle volunteered her legal expertise to environmental organisations both in Australia and the United States. These experiences generated a passion to pursuit meaningful product stewardship and consumer rights to alleviate the environmental impacts of unsustainable production.
Annabelle is skilled at bringing different disciplines together to seek novel solutions for clients and consequently has presented at international and national conferences to discuss her work.
As senior associate in our Sydney office, Annabelle investigates new class actions, assists in the progression of existing matters and mentors junior lawyers.
Ashley is a Senior Associate with a passion for protecting vulnerable members of society. At Phi Finney McDonald, he works on ongoing matters and identifies potential new class actions in socially and economically significant areas.
Before joining the firm, Ashley worked at a boutique firm specialising in employment class actions, where he developed extensive skills in complex quantitative loss modelling in a number of high-profile wage theft cases involving some of Australia's most recognisable brands. Ashley also has a comprehensive understanding of the Federal Court of Australia's practice and procedure, where he worked on class action litigation for several years.
Ashley's work ethos is centred around ensuring the law serves and protects the most vulnerable people in our society. His expertise and commitment to social justice make him an invaluable asset to Phi Finney McDonald and his clients.
Ben Phi - Managing Director
Ben Phi is one of Australia's leading plaintiff class action lawyers, having achieved almost half a billion dollars in settlements.
While he has specialised in shareholder class actions, Ben's expertise extends across all areas of complex, high value and multi-party litigation. This includes financial advice and product claims, shareholder and director disputes, executive employment litigation, and common law personal injury claims.
In his previous role, Ben oversaw the growth and management of one of Australia's most successful class action teams. As Managing Director, Ben is ultimately responsible for the firm's strategy, policies and procedures.
His aim is to ensure that Phi Finney McDonald becomes synonymous with strong claims brought with skill and efficiency, and is recognised for its impeccable client service. By creating a dynamic, flexible and fun workplace culture, he intends to make Phi Finney McDonald the employer of choice for talented lawyers and support staff that want to make the world a better place.
Brett Spiegel is a senior class action litigator with 20 years of legal experience, and a commitment to bringing justice to those hurt by corporate malfeasance.
A qualified lawyer in Australia and the United States, Brett has prosecuted complex and challenging cases in the fields of public health, mass tort, institutional abuse, the environment, and shareholder claims, achieving over $400m in judgments and settlements. His Australian class action experience includes claims in respect of Thalidomide, Vioxx, Manus Island, Brookland Greens, and Fairbridge Farm School, and a number of shareholder class actions.
In addition to his experience at a large Australian plaintiff law firm and a U.S. commercial law firm, Brett served as a Trial Lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice, where he worked on the landmark case of U.S. v Philip Morris, and as a Counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Cameron Myers is a versatile litigator who has worked on high-profile, large-scale matters in Australia and the United Kingdom.
His group litigation experience includes bushfire litigation, financial advice and product claims, employment disputes and industrial disease cases. He also has a wealth of common law personal injury litigation experience most recently having acted for UK survivors of the drug thalidomide.
Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Cameron was an Associate in the London Group Litigation and Melbourne Class Actions departments of a large plaintiff law firm.
Cameron focuses on progressing the firm's litigation projects through the production of high quality legal work, while also playing an active role in the supervision and professional development of the firm's junior lawyers and paralegal teams.
Education
LLB, BA, Monash University
GDLP, College of Law
Cassandra Evans is a skilled plaintiff lawyer who seeks to promote accountability and justice in achieving the best outcomes for clients.
Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Cassandra worked as the Associate to the Hon Justice Keogh at the Supreme Court of Victoria. Here she worked on a number of common law personal injuries and judicial review cases, as well as the criminal prosecutions of coal mine operators in relation to the Hazelwood mine fire of 2014. Before that, Cassandra practiced in employment law, acting for private individuals and union members in upholding their rights against employers. Her experience in bringing numerous individual claims for entitlements, unfair dismissal and adverse action instilled a drive to represent the interests of those who are wronged on a larger scale through class actions litigation.
As a Senior Associate at Phi Finney McDonald, Cassandra brings her litigation skills to assist in the conduct of ongoing matters, as well as investigating new class actions.
Education
LLB and BA (Politics), Monash University
GDLP, College of Law
Craig is widely regarded as one of Australia's pre-eminent data and information technology professionals. Craig is an expert in IT forensics and data interrogation with 25 years of experience. He has worked on and managed teams on a range of computer forensic, electronic discovery and data analytic engagements across Australia and South East Asia.
Craig is a leading innovator, in Australia and globally, in the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in investigations and legal matters.
Craig joins Phi Finney McDonald from KordaMentha, where he worked on a number of significant engagements involving the use of data and technology to allow informed decision making, and to improve efficiency in the management of electronic information. He has been engaged in expert and consulting roles by plaintiffs and defendant firms in relation to significant legal matters, including some of the larger class actions.
Danielle Dale has 28 years experience across general law and previously worked at a large plaintiff law firm for 21 years. During this time Danielle was able to develop and gain important knowledge in business strategies. Danielle's entry into law was at a junior level and she has worked tirelessly to become an inaugural part of the business.
Danielle's knowledge in relation to mergers and acquisitions including restructure projects and integration includes the implementation of business processes and policies which has led to her role today as Business Analyst at Phi Finney McDonald.
Danielle's significant achievements include implementation of document and financial management systems as well as managing staff at a national level. Danielle has also been an integral part in assisting general managers and stakeholders achieve financial and productivity goals and targets.
Danielle's strengths are her strong understanding of practice operations, practice group processes and billing management. Danielle's ability to overcome complex problems and issues within any business has been an important part of her journey which included her high degree of adaptability and flexibility in periods of significant organisational change. Her pragmatic and consultative approach and ability to engage with different levels of staff enabled her to achieve great success.
David has 20 years working in IT and Legal, working as a highly qualified and experienced Solutions Architect with specialist skills in database and accounting systems for the legal industry.
Having worked for both a large established firm and new start-up firm prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, David is equally adept at implementing large scale software and reporting solutions, or at designing and building his own. David's addition to the Phi Finney McDonald team will help deliver maximum benefit from the firm's significant technology investment, and his relaxed but driven approach sees him well placed to make a meaningful contribution to the firm's culture, vision and goals going forward.
Job Titles:
- Student Society Negotiation Competition - 2010 Winner
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws - Deakin University
Denée is a senior commercial litigator with more than 10 years' experience running complex large scale litigation and class actions.
Denée has a particular focus on Corporations Act, ASIC Act, negligence, misleading and deceptive conduct claims, and litigation arising in an insolvency context.
Denée has led numerous high-profile trials and settlements in the Federal Court of Australia (and appeals to the Full Court), including the concurrent trial and landmark settlement of 5 class actions against Standard & Poor's. She has extensive experience in litigation involving major Australian banks, investment funds, and financial institutions.
Qualifications
Admitted as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of NSW, High Court of Australia, Supreme Court of Queensland
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, The College of Law
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws (Honours), The University of New South Wales
Awards
Legal 500 Profiled Lawyer. Dispute Resolution: Class Actions Tier 4.
Lawyers' Weekly Senior Associate of the Year Dispute Resolution Award - Finalist
EuroMoney Women in Business Law Rising Star Award - Finalist
Lawyers' Weekly Top 30 Under 30 in Dispute Resolution - Finalist
Diana is a senior lawyer, with over 15 years of commercial litigation experience.
Diana has acted in wide variety of complex commercial litigation matters on behalf of individuals, corporations, and large groups. She has significant trial and appeal court experience, gained in a broad range of jurisdictions. She has particular expertise in shareholder class actions and individual shareholder disputes, regulatory proceedings, professional negligence claims, trust disputes, and contractual disputes.
Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Diana was a Principal Lawyer at a large law firm, where she worked on class actions and commercial litigation matters. Diana's experience also includes time working for the Insolvency Service in the United Kingdom.
Education
BA, LLB University of Tasmania.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Senior Associate
Dominic is a Senior Associate and Chartered Accountant who brings a multidisciplinary and commercial approach to all his work.
Dominic joined Phi Finney McDonald in 2020 and works across a range of matters including large scale and complex shareholder class actions. Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Dominic worked in Audit & Assurance, developing a strong background in financial analysis and technical accounting.
Dominic's background provides him with a unique skillset and perspective to his work at Phi Finney McDonald and to his clients. Dominic is passionate about corporate accountability, economic justice for claimants, and how class actions can be used to achieve these aims.
Ellen Roberts is a lawyer in Phi Finney McDonald's Melbourne office. She has a strong interest in achieving public interest outcomes through creative legal problem-solving and the power of class actions.
Ellen has a background in legal research, where she has held roles at Maurice Blackburn, and working alongside barristers on human rights and criminal matters. Prior to joining the firm, Ellen was Associate to Deputy President Gostencnik at the Fair Work Commission, and a law clerk at Australian Government Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution - Civil Claims team, where she worked on immigration matters arising out of the federal government's offshore immigration regime.
At Phi Finney McDonald, Ellen is committed to achieving the best outcomes for her clients, as well as the public interest more broadly.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts - University of Melbourne
Grace Cisternino has over 20 years experience across various areas of law. Starting her career as a legal assistant in a fast paced criminal law firm and a 2 year stint in an Adelaide insurance firm, Grace went on to further her experience at a large plaintiff law firm.
It was here Grace spent almost 15 years as the Support Team Leader for their Commercial and Class Action Departments. During this role Grace became a mentor to lawyers, assistants and paralegals guiding their performance and workload.
Grace has a natural ability of engaging with people from all walks of life and is passionate about ensuring everyone is enjoying their role within the business. Grace brings these strengths to Phi Finney McDonald as our HR Coordinator assisting in recruitment, employee relations, training and inductions.
Outside of the office Grace is the mother of 2 children and is passionate about achieving work life balance for herself as well as her co-workers.
Grahame is an experienced lawyer with a broad career history. He takes pride in working with the team to secure the best possible outcome for clients and to find innovative solutions to barriers to justice.
Grahame is a Special Counsel in the Melbourne office and works on large, complex litigation. He is a passionate advocate for the victims of corporate and government misconduct. He has particular interest in corporate accountability, environmental litigation, and litigation focusing on the rights of workers.
Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Grahame was associate to his Honour Justice Murphy in the Federal Court of Australia, where he worked on a number of class action proceedings including the landmark Money Max common fund decision, as well as a range of public law and regulatory matters. Before that, Grahame was a solicitor at a government law firm where he provided strategic legal advice on complex and sensitive legal issues to senior members of Victoria Police. He is experienced in making public interest immunity claims and in dealing with confidential and high profile material. Grahame has also worked as a criminal and environmental law researcher and has volunteered at a community legal centre, and at human rights and environmental organisations.
Education
Juris Doctor, Melbourne Law School
Hannah is a Senior Associate with an interest in holding governments and corporations accountable through effective legal representation. As part of her work, Hannah is committed to addressing systemic power imbalances and promoting access to justice through class actions and public interest litigation.
Before joining Phi Finney McDonald, Hannah gained valuable experience working in immigration law, assisting clients with protection visas, family migration, citizenship, and visa cancellations. Hannah also represented clients at the Department of Home Affairs and in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Prior to this, Hannah served as an associate in the General Division of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, where she gained experience in the merits review process for a wide range of government decisions. Throughout her studies, she worked as a research and policy officer at Jesuit Social Services, a research assistant at the Office of Public Prosecutions Victoria, and volunteered at an employment law community legal centre.
As a Senior Associate at Phi Finney McDonald, Hannah leverages her expertise to improve access to justice. Hannah is actively involved in ongoing matters and the investigation of new class actions.
Qualifications
Diploma of Music (University of Melbourne)
Job Titles:
- General Counsel / Principal Lawyer
Helen Leaf is an experienced major projects litigator, working in both commercial litigation and class actions.
Helen Leaf has acted in a range of high profile matters, including some of the largest document-intensive cases in Victoria. Having project managed all aspects of some significant multi-party commercial litigation actions, Helen is adept at working through the nuances of civil procedure.
Helen has a particular interest in connecting with the needs of claimants to facilitate and improve access to justice. In this regard Helen has undertaken a Masters of Social Work (Qualifying), and advocated as a social worker and lawyer for support of individuals who have experienced major trauma, and plaintiffs pursuing claims through various courts of law.
Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Helen worked on the administration of a major class action settlement distribution scheme at Maurice Blackburn. Helen commenced her legal career in the commercial litigation department of Blake Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst), and has proven herself as a versatile operator.
At Phi Finney McDonald, Helen is working on various class actions, mentoring more junior team members, and assisting with practice needs.
Education
LLB (Hons), University of Melbourne
BA, University of Melbourne
MSW(Q), Monash University
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Accounting Professional Who Has Provided Consulting Expert
James Hyden is an experienced accounting professional who has provided consulting expert services on several large commercial class actions.
James has accumulated more than 15 years of forensic and investigative accounting experience in the United States and Australia, and has worked on several class actions including claims against insurers, directors and trustees.
James started his career at Grant Thornton, before moving to KordaMentha where he provided accounting and expert services to high profile law firms and their clients. James then worked as an investigating accountant in the class actions group of one of Australia's largest plaintiff law firms.
At Phi Finney McDonald, James draws on his accounting and forensics background to investigate claims and to assist lawyers in understanding complex accounting issues. James works alongside the Directors as the Chief Financial Officer drawing on his strong financial and operational understanding of the Class Action space.
Education
BBus(Acc), RMIT
Grad Dip (ICAA)
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Contributor
Jem Punthakey is an accomplished lawyer with a focus on class actions, franchising and commercial litigation. He has acted for thousands of individuals and small businesses in class actions against large corporations, major banks and governments.
Jem practices in securities class actions and has practiced in class actions concerning misconduct in franchising, irresponsible lending, breach of contract, misleading/deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct, unfair contract terms, breach of the duty of good faith, claims in equity, breach of human rights, false imprisonment, personal injury and damage to property. In addition to class actions in the Federal Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Supreme Court of NSW, Jem has litigated commercial disputes in state and federal courts and tribunals.
Jem has advised and acted for franchisees around Australia, including those in the 7-Eleven, Michel's Patisserie, Domino's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Bubba Pizza, Jamaica Blue, Muffin Break, Subway, Blooms The Chemist, United Petroleum, BP, Mail Plus and Fogo networks.
Over his career, Jem has worked on matters that collectively amount to over $220 million in settlements and judgments. He has also been involved in landmark litigation and precedents, including in relation to franchising disclosure requirements, common fund orders, confidentiality, oral discovery, communication protocols and legal professional privilege.
Jem is an active contributor to the legal community. He regularly writes articles and submissions on class actions, civil procedure, and franchising, in addition to presenting at industry events. Jem's professional ethos is marked by his commitment to seeking justice for his clients and staying at the forefront of legal developments.
J Punthakey (contributor), Legal Tweaks that would change NSW and the nation - pp 20-21, 2022
Jeremy Zimet is an experienced litigator, with significant track record in commercial litigation and class actions.
Jeremy specialises in shareholder and consumer law class actions and has acted for thousands of claimants in complex, multi-party disputes.
Jeremy is also a media and communications law expert, who has advised and acted for high profile individuals, government ministers, directors and companies throughout Australia, on matters relating to defamation/libel, reputational risk management, pre-publication advice and privacy law.
Jeremy is a frequent media commentator on issues relating to media and communications law.
Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Jeremy was a Senior Associate in the commercial and class actions department of a large plaintiff law firm where he specialised in class actions and defamation law.
Education
BA (Intl Studies), LLB, University of Melbourne
GDLP, College of Law
Joel Phibbs has a strong depth of experience across complex litigation, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
Before joining PFM, Joel held pivotal roles at highly-regarded corporate law firms, and with ASX20 companies in senior legal and operational risk roles.
In his current role at PFM, Joel serves as the Principal Lawyer, leading a high-performing team in major class actions against large corporations. He has primary carriage of claims against Apple, Google and Westpac.
Joel's decision to join PFM was driven by the firm's unwavering commitment to its values and the vision of its Directors. As a father of four young children, Joel places great emphasis on the impact he leaves on the world and the contributions he makes.
In his work at PFM, Joel mentors and guides lawyers to think innovatively and strategically, pushing beyond procedural steps in litigation. He is dedicated to helping plaintiffs and group members hold defendants accountable when they fall short of expected standards. Additionally, Joel aims to influence potential defendants to prioritise compliance, transparency, and awareness of the long-term importance of ESG risks.
Qualifications
BA - Majors in International Relations and Philosophy (Logic) - ANU
LLB - ANU
Joseph joined Phi Finney McDonald in 2021. In addition to supporting the progress of investigations, he has assisted senior lawyers in both commercial and public law litigation. In the conduct of these matters, he brings a wealth of research experience and an eye for detail.
Joseph's interest in social justice litigation and class actions developed from his experience at JobWatch Victoria. There, Joe provided legal information to vulnerable employees and assisted on a range of underpayment claims.
Moreover, through his former employment in the public service, Joseph has worked at the intersection of law and policy, assisting with reforms to VCAT's jurisdiction. This experience bolstered Joseph's understanding of Australian public law and the governmental landscape.
Kathleen is a Senior Associate in the firm's Sydney office experienced in competition, privacy and public law with a focus on complex technology-related matters.
Kathleen previously worked in the public sector, including as a solicitor within the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office human rights team, and as a policy officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Kathleen is passionate about community contribution and strives to bring a creative approach to strategic litigation. Kathleen has keen interests in emerging technologies and the development of human rights jurisprudence.
Qualifications
Juris Doctor, Melbourne Law School
Kelly is a highly diligent and outcomes-focused legal professional, with nearly 20 years' experience working at some of the country's largest law firms, including King & Wood Mallesons and Minter Ellison. Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Kelly was an Operations Advisor at Slater and Gordon.
Kelly has worked across a broad range of commercial litigation matters, and on several high profile and complex class actions. She is experienced in managing the financial aspects of class actions, including briefing expert cost consultants and distributing settlement monies.
As Chief Operating Officer at Phi Finney McDonald, Kelly oversees the firm's administrative and financial operations and works closely with the Directors and Chief Financial Officer to ensure that the firm operates and provides services efficiently and cost-effectively. Kelly also contributes to our collaborative workplace culture by imparting her legal and financial knowledge to support staff and lawyers.
Job Titles:
- Head of Human Resources
- HR Leader
Lauren has an encouraging leadership style coupled with a passion for creating a strong inclusive culture.
Working across professional services firms for the past 20 years Lauren is a commercially focused HR leader with success in driving people management strategies and managing complex business problems. She is particularly experienced in the areas of performance and career development, employee relations, business transformation, engagement, coaching and talent management.
Lisa Comerford has over 20 years of experience in administrative roles across various industries. During this time, Lisa helped manage critical medical clinics during the pandemic, and brings a rigorous approach to operational management.
Marni joined Phi Finney McDonald in 2022 as a graduate with a keen interest in shareholder and consumer class actions.
Prior to her current role, Marni worked as a paralegal in a prominent plaintiff law firm where she assisted with significant consumer class actions. She also has experience in migration law, working towards providing access to justice for marginalised communities and clients. Further to this, Marni has been involved with the Ooralla center in NSW, providing tutoring to improve higher education and employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
Marni is committed to using her legal skills to promote corporate and governmental accountability through class actions.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (History and Politics) - University of Melbourne
Job Titles:
- Accounts Manager
- Matter Accounts Manager
Natasha Clarke is an Matter Accounts Manager with nearly 15 years' experience across personal injury, common law and commercial litigation.
Natasha started her career at a boutique law firm and has since worked for a number of larger plaintiff law firms across New South Wales and Victoria. Most recently, Natasha spent close to ten years providing assistance in the commercial litigation and class action departments of a large plaintiff law firm where her experience enabled her to assist with the creation and implementation of numerous procedures aimed to increase efficiency for the benefit of the clients. At Phi Finney McDonald, Natasha is responsible for various billing and bookkeeping functions, as well as providing assistance to the Chief Finance Officer in relation to financial recording and reporting.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in Phi Finney McDonald 's Melbourne
Nathan is an Associate in Phi Finney McDonald's Melbourne office. He is passionate about using class actions as a tool to promote the common good and defend the rights of those who are unable to defend themselves.
Prior to joining the firm, Nathan gained extensive experience in employment class actions, working on underpayment claims against major retailers and hospitality venues. His pragmatic approach and modelling capabilities helped to secure numerous class action settlements.
Before focusing on class actions, Nathan worked at a generalist regional practice where he handled a broad range of legal matters, including summary crime, property, commercial disputes, and victims of crime. He made regular court appearances, advocating and seeking to attain the best possible outcome for his clients.
Nathan is deeply committed to using his legal expertise to make a positive impact on society and help his clients achieve justice.
Qualifications
Juris Doctor - University of Melbourne
Job Titles:
- Director
- Corporate Trustee Duties under the Corporations Act - the Fincorp Class Action' ( 2011 ) 14 ( 2 )
Odette is an experienced senior class actions specialist, who has worked on complex and high-profile matters in Australia and the United Kingdom.
She has broad class action, group litigation and multi-party litigation expertise, including shareholder class actions, financial advice and product claims, personal injuries, competition and consumer actions, environmental and natural disaster litigation, and debenture trustee class actions. She also has a wealth of general commercial litigation and pro bono experience.
Prior to co-founding Phi Finney McDonald, Odette was a Practice Group Leader in the London Group Litigation and Melbourne Class Actions departments of a large plaintiff law firm.
Odette's focus at Phi Finney McDonald is on identifying cases, managing litigation projects, progressing the professional development of lawyers and support staff, and contributing to the creation of a dynamic and supportive workplace.
Olivia McMillan is dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for her clients through litigation.
Olivia has experience in a variety of class actions including claims involving securities and misfeasance in public office. Olivia has a particular interest in administrative and public law, having previously represented Victorian Government departments in negligence claims, and in judicial and merits review of administrative decisions.
Olivia also has a wealth of experience representing asylum seekers and refugees at all stages of the migration process, including strategic litigation in the Federal and High Courts.
Olivia focuses on progressing the firm's litigation projects and takes pride in mentoring the firm's junior lawyers and paralegal teams.
Olivia is a member of Phi Finney McDonald's pro bono committee as well as the Law Institute of Victoria's Human Rights Committee and Refugee Law Reform Committee.
Roop Sandhu is an experienced litigation lawyer, who has worked on many hard-fought and complex class actions.
Roop has experience in a wide variety of class actions, including claims involving financial advice, institutional abuse, debenture trusts, securities, property developments, and consumer issues. He has been involved in class actions in the Federal Court, the NSW Supreme Court, and the Victorian Supreme Court.
Roop also has broad general litigation experience. He has acted for hundreds of victims of asbestos diseases, helping them to recover damages from the companies that exposed them to asbestos. He has also run professional negligence claims, employment disputes, and superannuation disputes.
Over his career, Roop has worked on matters that have collectively delivered settlements in excess of $100 million.
Rosie is a Senior Associate with experience in complex public litigation and case management with a particular interest in using the law to support minority communities and promote access to justice for individuals.
Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Rosie was associate to Justice Mortimer in the Federal Court of Australia, where they gained experience case managing several public-interest class action proceedings. Rosie is an experienced government and administrative lawyer, having worked under Justice Mortimer on a wide variety of cases with a focus on migration and native title proceedings. Before their associateship, Rosie started their legal career at the Australian Government Solicitor, working in AGS's Canberra and Melbourne offices across both advisory and dispute resolution practices.
As a student, Rosie worked as a research assistant to a number of barristers at the Victorian Bar in administrative law, native title, tax and commercial disputes and volunteered in the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre's human rights law program. Rosie is particularly interested in approaching the law critically as a tool for social change.
Education:
BA and a JD University of Melbourne.
As a Senior Associate with the Melbourne office, Sally is committed to utilising legal mechanisms to deliver meaningful public interest outcomes. She is interested in class actions as a means to challenge corporate and government misconduct, in pursuit of social and economic justice.
Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Sally provided specialised legal assistance to people with gender-based claims for asylum. Sally's experience includes legal research into the use of force in closed environments and assisting self-represented litigants with bankruptcy, employment and administrative law matters in the Federal Circuit Court. This experience has further motivated Sally to work with a focus on unfair power dynamics, perpetuated by legal structures.
Previously, Sally supported the development and implementation of corporate responsibility, equality, diversity and pro bono policies in the legal profession throughout England and Wales. During this time, Sally also worked with lawyers and students to build the animal law network in the United Kingdom.
Sheridan Ah Colt is a legal assistant with over a decade of experience across commercial litigation, class actions and criminal law practice.
Sheridan began her career at a large plaintiff law firm assisting the commercial litigation and class action departments for nearly 12 years, and also assisted that firm's criminal law department for five years. Most recently, Sheridan has provided mentor, training and operational support as a support team leader for nearly four years. Her experience in a broad range of matters has enabled her to maintain high quality matter management and provide valuable client assistance.
Based in Phi Finney McDonald's Sydney office, Sheridan provides general assistance across a range of files, as well as assisting with client enquiries including institutional and retail investor enquiries regarding shareholder class actions.
Stephanie brings a wealth of experience and a passion for consumer protection to her role as Special Counsel at Phi Finney McDonald.
Stephanie is a seasoned litigator with a focus on cases involving misleading or deceptive conduct. Stephanie's experience extends to navigating complex legal landscapes in the energy and financial services sectors.
Before joining Phi Finney McDonald, Stephanie honed her skills at prominent commercial law firms, where she played a pivotal role in large-scale litigation and regulatory investigations.
Stephanie is a passionate advocate for corporate accountability and access to justice. Her pro bono work includes volunteering for organisations such as Refugee Legal and the Fitzroy Legal Service, showcasing her commitment to making a positive impact beyond the courtroom.
In her role Stephanie continues to leverage her extensive background to navigate complex legal challenges, ensuring that her clients receive robust representation and advocacy. Her commitment to consumer protection, corporate accountability, and access to justice is not just a professional ethos but a personal mission that sets her apart in the legal field.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) and Bachelor of Laws, University of Sydney
Tania Noonan is a versatile senior lawyer with over 20 years of experience in commercial litigation, financial services regulation and investigations, insurance litigation and advice (both as defence and coverage counsel) and corporate governance and risk management.
Her group litigation experience includes the management of a portfolio of group litigation matters on behalf of a large Australian financial services institution and its clients.
Prior to joining Phi Finney McDonald, Tania was a Senior Legal Counsel - Litigation and Regulatory Disputes in a large Australian financial services firm and was previously Special Counsel in private practice in a major Australian law firm and a boutique commercial litigation and insurance firm.
Tania has a strategic and pragmatic approach to litigation informed by a career of managing litigation from a variety of perspectives gained from working within plaintiff and defendant law firms and as in-house counsel representing corporate plaintiffs and defendants and their stakeholders.
Tania focuses on progressing the firm's litigation projects through the production of high quality legal work, while also playing an active role in the supervision and professional development of the firm's junior lawyers and paralegal teams.
Education
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons equivalent), University of New South Wales)
Master of Health Law ((MHL), University of Sydney
Tim Finney is an experienced senior plaintiff class action lawyer who has supervised legal teams on several large commercial class actions.
Tim specialises in shareholder class actions, having worked on a dozen such cases including claims against insurers and company auditors. He also has substantial experience in complex financial services and financial product litigation, including claims against banks, large trustee companies, financial advisors and brokers. Prior to co-founding Phi Finney McDonald, Tim managed the commercial class actions group in one of Australia's largest plaintiff law firms.
At Phi Finney McDonald, Tim supervises complex litigation with an approach that combines high quality legal work with efficient case management and an emphasis on strategy. As a manager of litigation teams, he is focused on encouraging junior and mid-level lawyers to develop their skills and confidence in a challenging but supportive team-based environment.