Leo practises in all areas of commercial and regulatory law.
Leo's principal experience includes corporate insolvency and restructuring, banking litigation, contractual disputes, class actions, equity and trusts, and regulatory matters.
Before coming to the Bar, Leo was a senior associate in Norton Rose Fulbright's Financial Restructuring and Insolvency team. At NRF, Leo acted for insolvency practitioners, directors, major banks and investment funds in significant and complex corporate insolvencies. He also acted for clients in commercial disputes, class actions, regulatory investigations and proceedings, and the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.
Leo is a former associate to the Honourable Justice Sloss in the Commercial Court of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Leo holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Juris Doctor and Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne.
Leo read with Daniel Snyder. His senior mentor is Nicholas De Young KC.
Click here to download my List G Barristers CV.
Recent Cases:
Appeals:
- Feeney & Anor v Southstar Homes Pty Ltd (VSCA – S EAPCI 2023 0102 – ongoing) (led by A Dinelli KC) – contractual interpretation, implied terms, prevention principle
- Yume Group Holdings Pty Ltd v Ashthorn Ca Pty Ltd (VSCA – S EAPCI 2024 0012 – ongoing) (led by F Bentley) – contractual interpretation
- Julia Kukuy v Timothy Mark Shuttleworth Holden (as Liquidator of Jay Invest Property Pty Ltd (in liq)) & Anor (VSCA – S EAPCI 2023 0026 – e.g. [2023] VSCA 331 – ongoing) (led by C Rome-Sievers) – appeal from order appointing liquidator as receiver over trust assets
- Hastie Group Limited (in liq) & Ors v Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd & Ors (FCAFC – VID41/2023 – resolved) (led by P Fary SC) – validity of post-liquidation drawings upon bank guarantees
State Supreme Courts:
- Douglas v Nelson (VSC – S ECI 2023 05559 – judgment reserved) (unled) – appeal from VCAT order for possession
- International Assets Pty Ltd & Anor v Rubin & Ors (VSC – S ECI 2021 03184 – ongoing) (led by J Evans KC) – misleading or deceptive conduct, fraud, equitable accessorial liability
- Beecham Motors Pty Ltd v GM Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd (VSC – S ECI 2020 04789 – e.g. [2023] VSC 640 – trial judgment reserved) (led by J Giles SC and A McRobert) – class action, interpretation of franchise agreement, implied terms
- Bull & Bear Vineyards Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) v Entain Group Pty Ltd (NSWSC – ongoing) (led by C Rome-Sievers) – fiduciary duties, equitable accessorial liability
- Ballarat Motor Holdings Pty Ltd & Anor v General Motors Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd & Ors (VSC – S ECI 2021 00822 – ongoing) (led by J Moore KC) – breach of contract, misleading or deceptive conduct, good faith, unconscionable conduct
- Drew v Drew (VSC – S CI 2017 04815 – settled) (led by J Evans KC) – constructive and resulting trusts, trespass to land
- Re Revroof Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (VSC – S ECI 2022 05288 – determined) (unled) – extension of convening period during voluntary administration
Federal Court and Circuit Court:
- Meneses v Meneses (FedCFamC2G – (P)MLC9081/2023 – ongoing) (led by D Snyder) – fiduciary duties, tracing, equitable subrogation
- Endless Solar Corporation Limited v ASIC, re Speedpanel Australia Ltd (No 2) [2023] FCA 1290 (led by E Bennett SC) – reinstatement of deregistered company
- Kerbage v Fridman [2023] FedCFamC2G 1004 (unled) – review of sequestration order
- Humphrey v Industrial Demolition Services Pty Ltd & Ors (FCA – VID 175/2018 – settled) (led by J Evans KC) – shareholder oppression
- Re Criniti’s Southern Italian Cuisine Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) (FCA) – NSD991/2022 – ongoing) (unled) – unfair preference claim
- Hodgers v ASIC (FCA – VID477/2023 – determined) (unled) – validity of members’ resolution commencing liquidation
County Court of Victoria:
- Southstar Homes Pty Ltd v Form8 Constructions Pty Ltd (No 2) [2023] VCC 1545 (unled) – costs, interest
- Southstar Homes Pty Ltd v Form8 Constructions Pty Ltd & Ors [2023] VCC 1420 (unled) – contractual interpretation, implied terms, prevention principle, assignment of contractual rights