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William Thompson

Legal Director
About

William Thompson is an experienced international dispute resolution Legal Director in DLA Piper's London office, having previously been with the firm in Sydney and Brisbane. William has a broad range of experience in commercial disputes, arbitration, investigations, and alternative dispute resolution. He has over 10 years’ experience and has a focus on complex, high value and strategic disputes. His practice spans a broad range of sectors, including banking and financial services, energy and natural resources and sports.

William's experience includes acting for clients involved in proceedings before the High Court of England and Wales, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, High Court and Court of Appeal and the Privy Council.

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the High Court of AustraliaSolicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales

EXPERIENCE

  • Acting for Atlas Mara Limited, an investment bank, on its successful defence of a USD200m claim concerning alleged breaches of a share purchase agreement in respect of financial institutions in Africa.
  • Advising a majority shareholder and joint venture that owns and operates onshore wind parks across the Nordic region in an emergency Netherlands Arbitration Institute Arbitration.
  • Acting for a group of companies in large scale litigation before the courts of the British Virgin Islands in relation to a dispute over a joint venture involving assets in the energy sector, including responding to applications for freezing orders over valuable assets.
  • Representing real estate property development and asset management company in a dispute concerning wrongful termination of contract in the High Court of England and Wales, including in injunctive proceedings.
  • Acting for an international hotel group in defending claims brought in LCIA proceedings.
  • Advising a global pharmaceutical company to defend a threatened class action for follow-on damages relating to competition matters.
  • Acting for an international renewable energy contractor in relation to claims arising out of the construction of a bioethanol plant in the Philippines, including defending an emergency SIAC arbitration seeking urgent relief to restrain a call on bank guarantees.
  • Acting for a regulated financial services company by conducting an independent review as part of a response to a regulatory investigation.
  • Acting for the Department of Human Services by conducting judicial review matters including appeals in the Full Federal Court concerning the application of international conventions related to the payment of social security benefits.
  • Representing one of Australia's "Big 4" banks in proceedings against it in the Supreme Court of Victoria for alleged breach of contract and misleading conduct in connection with arrangements for processing of credit card transactions.
  • Advising a major Australian commercial free-to-air television network in Supreme Court of New South Wales on proceedings concerning a shareholders’ dispute in relation to its (and its two major competitors’) shareholdings in a joint venture relating to the provision of digital transmission services and infrastructure essential for television broadcasting.
  • Acting for a leading global travel booking website in Supreme Court of New South Wales proceedings in relation to a claim for unpaid commissions under an agreement with the provider of a 'white label' search function used on its website.
  • Advising companies and executives involved in investigations by ASIC and the ATO, including responses to compulsory notices and requests for information.
  • Acting for an ASX listed company to bring an urgent application for preliminary discovery and injunctive relief in the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
  • Acting for Deed Administrators in the Supreme Court of New South Wales to successfully defend a claim for professional negligence.
Education
  • College of Law, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, 2012
  • Queensland University of Technology, Bachelor of Laws, Hons, 2011
  • University of Queensland, Bachelor of Commerce, Finance, 2008

Prior Experience

  • 2012 to 2015, Solicitor, DLA Piper, Brisbane
  • 2015 to 2018, Solicitor and Senior Associate, DLA Piper, Sydney

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