Luke Barrett

Biography

Luke is a partner and the head of our Superannuation group.

He is one of Australia’s leading superannuation lawyers who genuinely specialises in both superannuation law and investment transactions. He’s known for his commercial edge, simplifying the complex and giving sharp, directional advice that focuses on the issues that matter most. Luke’s experience as a superannuation industry insider means he has a deep understanding of the operational issues and business imperatives within superannuation funds. Luke understands the needs of in-house legal teams and business stakeholders, making him an efficient collaborator who can also work directly with boards, investment professionals, and operational stakeholders due to his industry experience, commercial acumen, and approachable personality.

Luke’s expertise covers all aspects of a superannuation fund’s business including fund mergers, product design, breaches, remediations, investigations through to their investment activities. His experience extends to leading large private market transactions, private equity funds, internal portfolio management, investment governance, greenwashing and defending climate-related allegations.

Prior to joining G+T, Luke led UniSuper's legal functions which spanned the investments, fund administration and financial advice businesses. For a decade he led the legal team within UniSuper's investments business. He is a respected industry speaker and has provided expert testimony in Parliament on legal issues affecting the financial services and superannuation industries

Experience

Luke’s experience includes advising:

  • On investments: including private market transactions, private equity funds, ECM transactions for superannuation funds, investment management agreements, investment governance frameworks, greenwashing issues and other climate-related allegations.

  • On funds & products: including fund mergers, trust deed advice and amendments, product establishment, product restructures and deep defined benefit fund experience.

  • On regulation: including advice on superannuation law and APRA standards, internal breach investigations, breach reporting and remediation (including compensation methodologies) and regulatory and parliamentary investigations.

  • On commercial agreements: including custody agreements, administration agreements, insurance policies including group life, professional indemnity and D&O as well as technology agreements.

Awards and Recognition

  • General Counsel of the Year 2021

    Association of Corporate Counsel

  • Asia Pacific General Counsel of the Year (Financial Services) 2021

    Global Counsel