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Robert Downing is a commercially focused lawyer with extensive experience in commercial disputes. He has served on several boards which brings a practical perspective to the advice he provides. Robert advises in relation to commercial agreements and has acted in substantial, complex and difficult commercial disputes.
Robert’s experience extends from acting for global companies and ASX Listed, to aspiring entrepreneurs. He has conducted proceedings in the Federal Court, Supreme Court of Victoria, County Court of Victoria and the Magistrates Court of Victoria. He also has experience in the High Court of Australia, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, interstate jurisdictions and having trained as a mediator also acts for clients in mediations and negotiated settlements.
The matters which Robert has been involved include, contract review (commercial agreements and acquisition/sale of businesses), shareholders and partnership disputes, directors duties, consumer law and trade practices, corporate fraud, enforcement of guarantees, intellectual property, leases, compulsory acquisition of property and franchising.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Professional Affiliations
Member, Law Institute of Victoria
Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Admitted to Practice
Victoria, Australia
High Court of Australia
Previous Work
Macpherson + Kelley Lawyers, Victoria (Head of Litigation) 14 years
Robert has broad legal experience in a wide range of commercial settings including:
Manufacturing (local, importers and subsidiaries of multinationals);
Retail (including acting for several Franchisors and Franchisees);
Automotive (advising several of Melbourne's largest Motor Dealer Groups);
Real Estate (acting for Estate Agents and Property Developers as well as Landlords and Tenants);
Transport and Distribution (Wholesalers, Logistics and Couriers);
Professional Services (Accounting and Investments);
Insolvency (Corporate and Personal);
Finance & Insurance (Insurance and Mortgage Brokers);
Education (Tertiary Sector);
Oil & Gas (Australian distribution and suppliers to the industry); and
Construction & Mining (Earthworks, Industrial, Commercial and Domestic);
Robert has a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, a Graduate Certificate in Finance from Macquarie University and is a Graduate of the Company Directors Course, of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He also has a Graduate Certificate in Management, a Bachelor Laws with Honours and Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Public Policy).
