William Maher
Clayton Utz
Will is a commercial litigation Special Counsel with deep experience acting for Australian and multinational clients in class action defence, complex disputes and investigations. He is a focused, results-oriented lawyer and clients value his responsiveness and ability to deliver tailored, commercial advice to deal with complexity and uncertainty. With a reputation for excellence and a dedication to achieving the best possible results for his clients, Will is a trusted advisor and highly respected member of our team. Will has been recognised in the Best Lawyers in Australia "One to Watch" list in litigation since the inaugural list in 2022.
Toyota Finance Australia Limited: Currently assisting TFA in defending two class actions before the Supreme Court of Victoria relating to commissions on vehicle finance and the sale of insurance products (S ECI 2023 02581; S ECI 2024 05243).
Plus500 Limited: Acting for Plus500 Limited in defending a consumer class action in relation to the sale of contracts for difference including interlocutory proceedings to enforce an arbitration clause (NSD1405/2023).
Colonial First State Limited and AIA Limited: Acting for CFSIL (fund trustee) and AIA Limited (group insurer) in defending a consumer class action regarding insurance in superannuation (VID28/2020).
Commonwealth Bank of Australia and CMLA Limited: Acting for CBA, CMLA and AIA Limited in defending a consumer class action regarding credit card and personal loan insurance products (VID387/2020).
Commonwealth Bank of Australia: Acting for CBA in successfully resisting an appeal to the Full Court of the Federal Court by ASIC in relation to allegations of conflicted remuneration (VID630/2022) and successfully defending proceedings brought by ASIC alleging Corporations Act and ASIC Act breaches in respect of fee waivers (QUD96/2021).
Confidential investigations and regulatory engagement: Advised entities on sensitive, complex investigations and regulatory engagement, including matters involving ASIC, ACCC, APRA, AUSTRAC and ACMA.
Duro Felguera Australia: Acted for Duro Felguera Australia Pty Ltd in a significant international arbitration with Samsung C&T Corporation arising out of the US$10 billion Roy Hill iron ore Project. (Samsung C&T Corporation v Duro Felguera Australia Pty Ltd, No. 065 of 2019 (SIAC)).*
Insurance Commission of Western Australia: Acted for ICWA, a WA State government entity, in proceedings in the Supreme Court of Western Australia concerning the distribution to creditors of over $1.8 billion in the liquidations of the Bell Group. *
EPC subsidiary: Advised an Australian subsidiary of a major US engineering and construction company in multiple proceedings challenging a SIAC arbitral award and assisted the company in achieving a settlement. *
*Experience gained prior to joining Clayton Utz.