About Raphael
Raphael Leibler practices in the firm’s litigation & dispute resolution group. He has represented public and private companies, high-net-worth individuals and other high-profile clients.
Raphael has acted in a diverse range of commercial disputes, cross-border matters, activist shareholder campaigns, personal and corporate insolvencies, and royal commissions.
Raphael has also acted on behalf of numerous pro bono clients, including community organisations, schools and charities.
Raphael graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws with first class honours. He joined the firm as a graduate in 2014, following his time as a speechwriter at the United Nations in New York. Raphael was admitted to practice in 2015 and appointed as a partner in 2023.
“Raphael is commercial, knowledgeable and strategic. He connects with his clients and delivers.”
Practice focus
Raphael’s practice focuses on the following areas:
- commercial litigation, principally in the Supreme, Federal and appellate Courts
- corporate governance, including board and shareholder disputes and directors’ duties
- contractual, trust and trade practices disputes
- shareholder activism
- corporate insolvency, restructuring and turnaround management, and
- regulatory investigations
- royal commissions
Experience
Raphael has acted in a range of matters, including:
Dispute resolution & litigation
- Slea Pty Ltd: a founding shareholder in a major Australian mortgage aggregator, in complex oppression proceedings (the largest in Australian history), derivative proceedings, and in proceedings to enforce pre-emptive rights in the Victorian Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court
- Arrium: acting for the liquidators of Arrium Limited, Arrium Finance Pty Ltd and Arrium Iron Ore Holdings in prosecuting proceedings against the former directors for insolvent trading spawned by the c. $2.8 billion collapse of the Arrium Group in 2016
- Tradeflex: in relation to claims against Toll Holdings for breach of contract.
- Naval Australia: advising the directors in relation to a dispute that followed the cancellation of a $90 billion submarine contract by the Australian Federal Government
- Complex and sensitive commercial, property and family disputes, including litigation involving a catfishing and romance scam, IVOs and blackmail
- Various individuals in relation to insider trading, market manipulation and other Corporations Act contraventions
Restructuring, insolvency & workouts
- Metricon Homes, in relation to its turnaround plans
- an automotive manufacturer: in connection with the restructure of its Australian network and implementation of a new business model
- the Administrators of the Arrium Group, including in proceedings in the Federal Court:
- to prevent a significant financier from enforcing cross-collateralised guarantees
- in connection with meetings of creditors and communications with creditors, and
- seeking relief from personal liability and directions in relation to agreements for the financing, construction and commissioning of beneficiation plants
- the United States Trustee of the Estate of Geoffrey Edelsten: acting for the Trustee in cross border insolvency matters involving the Federal Court of Australia and United States Bankruptcy Court
- an international mining company: in relation to debt restructuring and reorganisation
Shareholder activism
- ARA Asset Management: in the Singaporean property group’s campaign to appoint Directors to the board of ASX listed Cromwell Property Group
- Andrew Abercrombie: in relation to a proposed transaction to sell the Humm Group’s consumer finance division
- Solomon Lew and Premier Investments: in relation to the campaign for change on the board of department store Myer Holdings
- Gary Weiss and Ariadne Australia: in the successful campaign at Dreamworld theme park owner Ardent Leisure Group, resulting in two board appointments and Dr. Weiss’s appointment as board chairman
- Praemium CEO: in the successful spill of the Praemium board
- Various clients in relation to private companies
Royal commissions
- the former leader of the Opposition: in the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption
- Industry Super Australia and four leading industry superannuation funds: in connection with the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry
- a listed aged care provider: in connection with the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
Other
- the former leader of the Opposition: providing advice in relation to various matters with Leon Zwier
- sporting clubs including Collingwood Football Club, Carlton Football Club, Melbourne Football Club and Melbourne Storm in relation to various matters
- Tripp Group and Tekkorp Holdings: on the launch of a new Australian online wagering business, betr
Directorships & memberships
Raphael has been a director of the Australian Jewish Funders since 2023.
