Patrick Weller

Dynamic lawyer based in Sydney with extensive experience in top-tier private practice and in-house roles. Specializes in advising corporates on commercial transactions and contracts, compliance, anti-corruption, regulatory investigations, and large-scale litigation. Proven track record in managing complex projects for ASX companies, providing strategic legal advice that anticipates regulatory actions and other key risks. Recognized for a pragmatic approach to problem-solving and fostering collaborative environments to achieve optimal outcomes for stakeholders.

Available on request.

• Advised a leading global mining corporation regarding compliance with a focus on anti-corruption and bribery legal advice. My role has included advising on general commercial matters, contract drafting, negotiations with indigenous groups, commercial negotiations, policy development and compliance strategy.
• Advised one of Australia’s leading financial institutions regarding a large-scale customer remediation and regulatory investigation. Responsibilities included regulatory and remediation advice, advice on privacy obligations, general legal advice, management of complex projects.
• Advised one of Australia’s leading financial institutions regarding a regulatory investigation into allegations about the provision of financial advice in breach of the corporations legislation. Responsibilities included the management of complex projects and the development of graduates and paralegals.
• Developed a prototype fashion range which we have commenced negotiations with a number of fashion companies to move the prototype range into commercial production. I oversaw and managed the commercial elements and strategies, working with our creative director, as well as providing legal advice and drafting contracts.
• Worked with a small technology company to develop and produce a sanitation-on-demand machine to be used in healthcare faculties and distribution facilities. My role included working with key stakeholders and project management to produce the prototype range and commence trials.
• Advised one of Australia's leading banks in the Royal Commission in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services. Responsibilities included advising key decision makers, the management of reviews and analysis and oversight of graduates and paralegals.
• Advised some of Australia’s leading financial institutions on a range of regulatory investigations including requirements for the provision compliance and breaches of code of conduct requirements, benchmark manipulation, allegations of tax avoidance and the court ordered production of sensitive documents on large financial transactions. Responsibilities included advising key stakeholders, analysis of risk to my clients, the management of complex projects and the development of graduates and paralegals.
• Advised on a number of corporate transactions including the acquisition by a private equity fund of a $3.2 billion-dollar public acquisition of one of the largest real property funds in Australia. Responsibilities included advising key stakeholders and executives on compliance with the court approval process, preparing court documents and drafting submissions.
• Acted for one of Australia’s leading banks in the Federal Court of Australia in a dispute against the Australian Securities and Investments Commission relating to compliance with trading conduct and financial benchmarks. Responsibilities included updating and advising the bank’s decision makers, analysing the compliance framework of the relevant elements of the bank, preparing advices, advising on related class actions in the New York District Court, drafting submissions and the management of complex review projects.
• Acted for a corporate trustee defendant in a $150 million class action in the Supreme Court of Victoria relating to allegations of breach of corporate trustee duties. Responsibilities included analysing the compliance regime within the corporate trustee, advising key stakeholders and executives including on settlement negotiations, preparing for interlocutory hearings, the preparation of lay and expert evidence, interviewing witnesses and briefing counsel.
• Acted for professional trustee companies alleging breach of trust and other claims in the NSW Supreme Court, NSW Court of Appeal and the High Court of Australia. Responsibilities included advising key stakeholders, instructing counsel and drafting key documents.
• Advised banks and corporates on large-scale property and aviation financing and corporate financial restructures.