Janet Whiting

Partner
Melbourne

Biography

Janet is a partner and the head of our Disputes and Investigations group in Melbourne.

She is a pre-eminent commercial litigator in Australia, renowned for her extensive experience in practising in complex commercial and regulatory matters.  

Highly numerate, she has an enviable reputation for her strategic advice, detailed analysis and obtaining commercial solutions. Janet has extensive experience in risk, governance and probity, having held directorships across several industries throughout her career. This hands-on experience is integral to Janet’s ability to advise on practical strategies and strategic positioning in complex disputes. 

Janet is consistently recognised as a leading dispute resolution lawyer in the Australian Financial Review, Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific and Best Lawyers. 

She is the first female President of the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria in its 161-year history. In 2015, Janet was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant community service in the arts, health and major events and was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. 

Janet’s client portfolio includes global corporations, ASX top 50, governments and regulators. 

Experience

Janet’s experience includes advising:

  • Cargill in obtaining a record judgment against Glencore and Viterra in the longest running non-class action trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

  • RI Advice (a subsidiary of Insignia Financial) in successfully defending Australia’s first cyber security case by ASIC, concerning allegations of inadequate cybersecurity measures.

  • Westpac-owned Capital Finance Australia in the Supreme Court of Victoria against claims of misleading conduct and deceit related to financing the old Pentridge Prison site development.

  • ConnectEast in a high-profile commercial dispute with Transurban.

  • Insignia group member, OnePath Custodians, in responding to an ASIC investigation and civil penalty proceedings alleging misleading and deceptive conduct in relation to member communications.

  • Bega Cheese in successfully defending Supreme Court proceedings brought by Fonterra Brands Australia over the use of the Bega trademark.

  • The Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance in relation to the Board of Inquiry into the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Program.

  • The State of Victoria in the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.

  • Asahi in Federal Court proceedings against private equity firms Unitas Capital and others regarding the $1.5 billion acquisition of the Independent Liquor Group, resulting in a NZ$220 million settlement for Asahi.

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024 - 2025

    Ranked for Dispute Resolution

  • The Best Lawyers in Australia 2025

    Recognised in the areas of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Litigation and Public Law

  • The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024

    Hall of Fame in Dispute Resolution: Litigation

Testimonials

Client first thinking

This was an incredibly hard-fought and difficult case where every point was taken. Janet Whiting and her team demonstrated resilience as well as proactive and innovative thinking at every turn, with the flexibility and capacity to accommodate the enormity of the task at hand.

Deputy General Counsel, Cargill, Zurich

Janet’s commitment to clients is extraordinary as is demonstrated by the circumstances of this case. I have no reservation in recommending Janet for strategy, tactical and litigious matters. Janet drives strategic outcomes that are in the best interests of her clients. Janet is regarded as one of the best litigators in Australia.

Robert Iervasi, Group CEO, Asahi Beverages Oceania

The exceptional outcome in the case would not have been achieved without Janet’s significant experience and capability along with her unwavering determination. At each stage of the case from initial planning through to the final outcome.

Paul van Heerwaarden, CEO Bega Cheese Ltd
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