Gavin Rees

Gavin specialises in commercial law, with a particular focus in class actions, tax, and complex regulatory proceedings. He also has a particular interest in industrial law and acts led and unled for employees, unions and employers in the Fair Work Commission and Federal Court.

Current and recent cases include:

• Allen v G8 Education Ltd [2024] VSC 487 – acting for the law firm on the first s 33ZDA(3) application (with William Edwards KC)
• Tweed Bait Pty Ltd v Commonwealth – ongoing biosecurity and business interruption mass tort class action (with Lachlan Armstrong KC)
• Dawson v Insurance Australia Ltd – ongoing consumer protection class action; recent judgments include [2024] VSC 808 (with Kate Burke SC)
• Santavas v Commissioner of Taxation [2025] ARTA 2515 – tax appeal for the Commissioner regarding early access to superannuation for investment purposes (unled)
• Cook v 3M Australia Pty Ltd – ongoing mass tort class action for the plaintiff (with Eugenia Levine)
• ASIC v Walker Stores Pty Ltd [2026] FCA 665 – consumer protection case for ASIC obtaining $33m in penalties and other relief for breaches of credit legislation (with Kateena O’Gorman SC and Eugenia Levine)
• Prygodicz v Commonwealth – Contradictor on the settlement of the Robodebt class action (with Lachlan Armstrong KC)
• Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia v ZYR [2026] VCAT 507 – successful defence of nurse accused of professional misconduct (unled)
• Department of Education v Commissioner of Taxation [2026] FCA 898 – appeal on the construction and application of superannuation legislation (with Catherine Pierce KC)

Before coming to the Bar, Gavin practised at Baker McKenzie, Gilbert + Tobin, and the Australian Government Solicitor and was previously associate to the Honourable Justice Nichols of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under the Professional Standards Legislation