Current practice
Leanne has a broad commercial litigation practice with a specialisation in media law. Leanne is highly regarded for her expertise in defamation law, especially by clients in all sectors of the media who value her reputation and understanding of the industry.
Leanne’s responsibility for overseeing the management of the firm’s own insurance-related matters gives her an invaluable perspective from which to advise clients on their insurance issues and dispute resolution strategies.
Experience
Leanne has acted for clients in the media, insurance, finance, manufacturing, gaming and retail industries across a range of commercial disputes. She has been involved in matters ranging from trade practices and professional negligence claims to disputes over supply agreements and placement of insurance policies.
Since the 1980s Leanne has combined her expertise in commercial litigation with a specialty in media law. She has represented key media industry clients such as the Fairfax Group and the Seven Network in a range of disputed matters. She frequently acts for media clients in matters where media access and reporting of cases is an issue.
Some of Leanne’s significant matters include acting:
- in contempt proceedings in which our client challenged the validity of legislation which imposed a mandatory in camera requirement and a reporting prohibition on Court of Appeal proceedings. The case and consequent amendment to the legislation had significant implications for the law of contempt and the way in which appeals from prosecutions are conducted and reported.
- in a long-running tax dispute which concerned capital gains tax on an asset disposal, and claim by the Tax Commissioner under Part IVA of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (TPA). The outcome for our client was a refund of approximately $70 million in tax, together with a significant amount of interest on the overpaid tax.
- successfully for a major insurance broker in a dispute about placement of insurance cover. This case arose out of a large damages award against an auditing firm, when the insurer disputed whether insurance cover had been placed.
- for the Seven Network in proceedings brought by the ACCC involving the question of whether certain items broadcast by Seven contained misrepresentations in breach of section 52 of the TPA, and whether the arrangements which led to the broadcasts took Seven outside the protection from the application of section 52 which is generally given to the media by section 65A.
- for a major grocery wholesaler in a dispute over a grocery supply agreement with a retail chain.
- in a high-profile defamation claim brought by a paparazzo, culminating in a two week Supreme Court trial that received widespread media attention. The outcome was a verdict for our client with costs, an important result, not just financially, but also publicly for our client.
Professional background
Leanne was appointed a partner of Freehills in 1994. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degrees from the Australian National University.
Leanne is regarded as ‘a fantastic practitioner’, and her ‘leading profile’, ‘depth of experience’ and ‘impressive capabilities’ as a media lawyer have been consistently recognised by Chambers Global, most recently in the 2010 edition. Leanne is highly recommended by PLC Which Lawyer? for her media litigation expertise.
Leanne is a member of the Communications and Media Law Association and has been a contributor to the Gazette of Law and Journalism.
