Class action competition
Australia's class action industry is changing, with more corporate firms acting for plaintiffs, more smaller firms launching cases for the first time, and more specialist lawyers acting in cases.
Gilbert + Tobin’s entry into the plaintiff space with the launch of the Toyota class action in 2019 is seen by many lawyers as a pivotal moment for Australia’s class action legal market. The firm initially worked with class specialist Bannister Law on the case.
Matt Mackenzie's move from G+T to Quinn Emannuel saw him take the case with him, as Lawyerly reported at the time, the lawsuit was notable in that a major firm outside the traditional plaintiff players — think Maurice Blackburn or Slater & Gordon — was entering the fray.
Recent data published by King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) shows this has now become an established trend. Of the 25 law firms that filed new class action cases in the year to 30 June, 11 had never filed one before.
There are also new overseas entrants. Capital Brief reported this week that London-headquartered Pogust Goodhead plans to launch its first three Australian group claims in local courts before the end of the year, after setting up shop in Sydney in February.
