Arnold Bloch Leibler’s Dispute Resolution & Litigation practice advises on some of the most high-profile and complex disputes for leading corporates and individuals in Australia. Handling an exceptional breadth of matters, the team is consistently involved in cases that make headlines and define legal precedents. Their approach is not just about the law, but about understanding the human element and commercial realities behind every dispute.
In this Q&A, partner Raphael Leibler and law graduate Ella White share insights into the team’s diverse practice, the unique challenges of high-stakes litigation, ABL's genuine commitment to pro bono work, and what it's truly like to build a career at the firm.
Could you give us an overview of the breadth of the practice and the work that the ABL Litigation team is involved in?
Raph: The ABL Litigation team has earned a reputation as one of the best in the country. Our clients tell us this, and it's a view we hear also from the bar and the bench, who also routinely raid our junior ranks for associates. This reputation has been forged from the breadth of our practice and the rich experience our lawyers gain. We routinely work on general commercial disputes, class actions, regulatory investigations, white collar crime, human rights cases, Royal Commissions, and restructures and insolvencies.
What we relish, and what our clients value most, is the contribution we make when the stakes are high and everything is on the line. Existential problems demand excellence and foster creativity, which is why you'll often read about our cases and clients on the front pages of the media. It's the personalities, commercial significance, and the cutting-edge legal practice that make our work so rewarding.
The matters we work on are far from typical commercial litigation. Some of the more unusual cases I've worked on recently include a catfishing and romance scam, a matter involving blackmail, hate speech cases, sports law, cases for MPs on both sides of politics, and a matter about licences to harvest sea cucumbers in protected fisheries. There's really never a dull day.
Ella: The breadth of the litigation team's work is reflected in my day-to-day experience. In just the past fortnight, I've assisted on matters spanning sports law, contractual and estoppel issues, racial discrimination, and domestic and cross-border insolvency. This breadth isn't just about the range of matters, but also the variety of jobs juniors take responsibility for.
I recently heard Raph tell a group of students that ABL employs juniors to exercise their judgment, and that's absolutely been my experience. I'm certainly not sitting in a dusty room reviewing documents all day! I've had regular opportunities to draft documents, attend court, tackle complex research issues, and am frequently asked for my opinion. The variety and complexity of these tasks is intellectually stimulating, and I feel like I'm constantly improving.
Litigation clients are very often under significant stress. How does that impact the way you interact with them as advisers?
Raph: Litigation clients often come to us during their most challenging and stressful times. In those moments, you can't lose sight of the human element of being an advisor. Being a lawyer isn't just about the black letter of the law. One of the characteristics that sets apart the great lawyers is how they understand their clients – their drivers, objectives, frustrations, and sensitivities.
Ella: Something that initially drew me to ABL was its significant expertise in 'bet the farm' and high-stakes litigation. As a result, many clients approach our litigation team with existential and deeply stressful issues. It stands out how much complete trust clients place in ABL to handle these matters. This trust permeates every aspect of what we do and is never taken lightly.
“What we relish, and what our clients value most, is the contribution we make when the stakes are high and everything is on the line. Existential problems demand excellence and foster creativity.”
Lawyers across all our practice groups at ABL are involved in pro bono work. What areas of pro bono work does the litigation team get involved in?
Raph: Since my first day as a graduate, the importance of ABL's pro bono commitment has been abundantly clear. We take on pro bono work when it's the right thing to do. Over the years, the Litigation department has worked extensively on the fight against racism and for human rights, including Indigenous and First Nations causes, the fight against racial discrimination and hate speech, antisemitism, support for victims of sexual assault, discrimination in the arts, and more. While it's deeply unsettling that the need for this type of work is increasing, our team derives enormous satisfaction from contributing to these vital causes.
Ella: Since starting at ABL, it's been immediately apparent how genuine the firm's commitment to pro bono work is. We're not doing pro bono work to hit recommended targets; it’s simply the right thing. I've also really valued that ABL manages all its pro bono matters in-house, rather than sending juniors off to clinics. From my perspective, this approach means that pro bono matters are resourced with the most appropriate ABL lawyers across all seniorities, who can attend to issues as and when they arise, regardless of clinic days. It means that pro bono is truly integrated into my daily work.
Ella, you returned to ABL after your clerkship. What were the main factors that led to that decision, and what has your experience as a junior in the team been like?
Ella: I have three main reasons. First, the people I get to work with are phenomenal – both as professionals and individuals. My colleagues are quirky, empathetic, and fiercely intelligent. I'm fortunate to learn from these people, and it certainly adds extra colour to the week!
The second reason is that I believed (and continue to believe!) that ABL would best equip me to develop into the lawyer I want to become. I think ABL offers juniors a unique level of opportunity to be meaningfully involved in matters from an early stage, based on professional readiness rather than strict PQE. In my mind, this is incredibly conducive to professional development.
The third reason relates to the sheer variety of work that ABL lawyers are exposed to under the generalist-specialist model. We've already discussed this, but I'll add that the novelty of working across different litigious fields adds another level of career satisfaction.
Explore our Dispute Resolution expertise or learn more about legal careers at Arnold Bloch Leibler.
Quick fire questions
What's the most rewarding part of being a litigation lawyer?
Raph: Winning.
Ella: Seconded.
What’s your proudest achievement or outcome for a client?
Raph: Helping to save Australia’s largest residential builder from collapse stands out. This wasn't just about allowing a historic Australian business to continue operating; it was about going on a journey with the owners in their darkest hour, after the founder passed away in tragic circumstances, and creating an opportunity to honour his legacy.
Ella: Seeing my research go into Counsel’s written submissions on a very large insolvency matter. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my efforts, even at such a junior stage, have a tangible impact on what the team is achieving for our client.
What's one piece of advice that you would give to your younger self?
Raph: Relationships matter more than you realise. The legal profession is as much about people as it is about principles. Invest in relationships and people and they will invest in you.
Ella: At risk of being overly literal, I am exactly where I want to be. I don’t think I’d give my younger self any advice, in case the butterfly effect knocked me off course from where I am now.
