Janet is head of Gilbert + Tobin’s Litigation practice in Melbourne.

Janet has extensive experience in competition, corporate and regulatory areas and is one of the pre-eminent commercial litigators in Australia. She has a reputation for excellence amongst clients and peers. Janet is highly regarded for providing strategic advice, detailed analysis and obtaining commercial solutions.

Proven ability to work with premiers, government ministers, boards, senior bureaucrats and senior executives.

From her early years, Janet developed an unusual practice combining the trusted adviser role with a number of organisations together with an extensive commercial litigation portfolio.

In addition, Janet has been involved in the corporate arena as a director throughout her professional career. As a result, she has an extensive appreciation of the issues that face business leaders, not only from a legal perspective but also having regard to the commercial, political and public imperatives that need to be considered when directing organisations.

As a leading litigator, Janet has successfully conducted significant matters for major corporates. Of recent times this has included acting for Asahi in which the largest settlement in Australia was achieved against various private equity interests (exceeded only by the Bushfires Class Action). Janet also has extensive governance and probity experience through not only providing advice professionally but also wide spread experience in risk, finance and audit sub-committees of various organisations over more than 15 years.

Janet led the team that instructed Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into the 2009 Victorian Bushfires. In addition, Janet acted for Mirvac Limited in the Queensland Floods Commission. In 2000, Janet obtained ASIO security clearance to a Top Secret classification.

Prior to joining Gilbert + Tobin, Janet was a partner with Corrs Chambers Westgarth for 22 years and led its Melbourne Commercial Litigation Division.

Areas of Expertise