Rebecca Davern practises in a wide range of commercial matters including major tort class actions, corporations law, administrative law and employment and discrimination law.
Most recently, Rebecca has been described by Chambers and Partners in 2023, as “Rebecca is delightfully warm and easy to work with, always available, and is extremely hard-working. She's an excellent litigation strategist with a great level of commercial acumen in her approach".
Rebecca is also one of Australia's leading employment and discrimination law specialists. She is regularly instructed on employment, industrial and discrimination law matters, primarily by employers, in the Federal Court. Given her particular expertise in employment, industrial and discrimination matters, Rebecca is also recognised by Doyle's Guide and the Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific rankings for her outstanding expertise in employment law.
Recent matters
Commercial and class actions
Rowe v AusNet Electricity Pty Ltd and Ors (the Murrindindi Bushfire proceeding) (led by John Karkar QC, Wendy Harris QC, Paul Anastassiou QC and James Gorton QC, acting for all three State Parties)
Asahi Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd v Pacific Equity Partners Pty Limited(VID 87/2013) (with Andrew McClelland)
Regent Holdings Pty Ltd v State of Victoria and Southern Ocean Mariculture Pty Ltd [2013] VSC 601 (the 'Abalone Case') (led by Charles Scerri QC and with Claire Harris)
Newtronics Pty Ltd (in liquidation) v Gjerga and Ors (led by Michael Heaton QC and with Stephen Waldren, on behalf of the liquidator)
Oce Australia Pty Ltd v Big Print Pty Ltd (led by Michael Heaton QC and with Trevor Rosen)
National Australia Bank v Norman [2010] HCATrans 134 (High Court- application for special leave)(led by Wendy Harris SC)
National Australia Bank v Norman [2009] FCAFC 152 (Full Federal Court appeal) (led by Wendy Harris SC)
Employment and discrimination
Chen v Monash University [2015] FCA 130 (led by Justin Bourke QC) (successfully defending a claim against Monash University and others)
Chen v Monash University (No 2) [2015] FCA 552 (obtaining a costs award on an indemnity and lump sum basis against an unsuccessful applicant in the amount of $900,000)
CFMEU v Grocon Constructors (Victoria) Pty Ltd and Ors [2015] HCATrans 24 (with Patrick Wheelehan)(successfully opposing an application for special leave for Grocon)
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia v Marmara ([2014] FCAFC 84) (led by Harry Dixon SC acting for the Minister for Employment intervening in the appeal)
Click here to download my List G Barristers CV.