Philippa Hofbrucker

Partner
Sydney

Biography

Philippa is a Partner in our Disputes and Investigations group.

She is a market-leading specialist in regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, class actions, commercial litigation and public inquiries. 

Philippa also has significant experience in emerging regulatory areas (including cybersecurity and ESG) and risk mitigation.

She works closely with financial institutions, major corporations, boards and senior executives across various sectors, with a particular focus on financial services and health and life sciences.

Philippa combines legal expertise and innovative problem-solving to deliver effective solutions that advance her clients' objectives in high-stakes settings. Notably, she led the first successful application for security for costs under the Victorian group costs order regime and secured the first contested soft class closure order in a recent class action defence in the Victorian Supreme Court.

Her clients value her dedication, strategic insights and her commitment to fostering long-term, collaborative relationships that drive successful outcomes.

Awards and Recognition

  • Best Lawyers (2024 and 2025)

    Recognised for Class Action Litigation

  • Best Lawyers (2024 and 2025)

    Litigation

  • Legal 500 (2024 and 2025)

    Recommended as a ‘key lawyer’ in Dispute Resolution: Class actions

  • Legal 500 (2021, 2023 and 2024)

    Recommended as a ‘key lawyer’ in Dispute Resolution: Financial Services Regulatory

  • The Legal 500 (2021)

    Recommended as a ‘key lawyer’ in Dispute Resolution: Litigation

Experience

Philippa’s experience includes acting for:

  • Macquarie Bank in its defence of a consumer class action in relation to the provision of auto finance.

  •  Downer EDI in its defence of a securities class action in relation to alleged continuous disclosure breaches.

  • Australian Clinical Labs in OAIC enforcement proceedings regarding a cybersecurity incident and related regulatory investigations.

  •  SkyCity Adelaide in AUSTRAC enforcement proceedings alleging breaches of the AML/CTF laws.

  •  Westpac in:

    • ASIC and APRA investigations regarding director and officer duties, AFSL general obligations and the BEAR arising from alleged breaches of AML/CTF laws

    • ASIC investigation and enforcement proceedings regarding financial advice fees charged by its super businesses

    • ASIC investigation regarding the quality of advice by a former financial adviser

    • its response to the Banking Royal Commission 

    • ASIC investigation and enforcement proceedings into alleged manipulation of the BBSW.

  • KKR on its proposed purchase of the Perpetual wealth business and its purchase of the Colonial First State wealth business.

  • National Dental Care in litigation in relation to a business purchase agreement.

  • Agilex Biolabs in litigation commenced by a former employee in relation to an ESOP.

  • Peregrine in its defence and cross-claim in litigation regarding a contractual dispute with Hungry Jacks.

  • A major financial institution in an ACCC investigation in relation to potential cartel conduct.

  • A major financial institution on a significant risk and compliance audit of anti-competitive and market misconduct.

  • A range of private equity sponsors including Quadrant, Adamantem and TPG Capital in relation to issues and disputes concerning their portfolio companies and proposed acquisitions.

  • A Goldman Sachs executive in an ASIC investigation relating to the Healthscope equities block trade.

  • The UK Serious Fraud Office in its defence of litigation commenced in connection with a discontinued bribery and corruption investigation.

  • Dadco Alumina in connection with a bribery and corruption investigation by the UK SFO.

  • Multiple directors, executives and employees of major corporations in compulsory examinations by regulators and appearances before royal commissions and parliamentary inquiries.

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