Profile
Ian is a respected dispute resolution and litigation lawyer with over 30 years of national and international experience. He has worked with publicly listed companies, SMEs, high-net-worth individuals and Not-for-Profits across a variety of sectors, including agribusiness, banking and finance, health and life sciences, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, automotive, transport and logistics.
He is known for delivering legal advice that is strategic, commercial and practical to help clients mitigate risk, improve business outcomes and resolve disputes effectively. Ian acts in all major courts and tribunals in Australia and has experience managing cross-border litigation and international arbitration in jurisdictions including the US, UK, Canada and Europe. He also advises clients on Royal Commissions, inquests, and other quasi-judicial inquiries.
Ian’s areas of expertise include:
- Corporate law – derivative actions, shareholder oppression, governance, directors’ and officers’ duties, debt recovery and regulatory matters
- Commercial law – breach of contract, termination, rescission, and disputes involving partnerships and trusts
- Trade practices – consumer guarantees, anti-competitive conduct, misleading or deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct, and price fixing
- Property law – leasing disputes and breach or rescission of contracts of sale
- Insurance – indemnity disputes, public and product liability, D&O cover, reinsurance, and personal injury
Ian has been recognised in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific for:
- Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Recommended Lawyer (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
- Dispute Resolution: Class Actions – Recommended Lawyer (2023, 2024)
Expertise
Recognition
‘Ian Nathaniel handles the matter sensitively and professionally, leading to a commercial outcome for our client. He is a pleasure to work with and I have no hesitations in recommending his services.’ – Dispute resolution client, 2018
‘Ian Nathaniel is an approachable and thoughtful lawyer. He is strategic in outlook and practical in approach.’
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Dispute resolution: litigation – 2022 edition
‘Ian Nathaniel is a highly experienced, deeply knowledgeable and a very balanced practitioner who is very cool under pressure.’
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Dispute resolution: litigation – 2023 edition
Accolades
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Recommended for Dispute Resolution: Litigation – 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 editions
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Recommended for Dispute Resolution: Class Actions– since 2023 edition
Memberships
- Law Society of South Australia
- Law Society of New South Wales
- Law Institute of Victoria
- Former South Australian Business Ambassador
Insights
28 November 2024
How far does vicarious liability stretch? The High Court of Australia further analyses this question
Read More27 March 2017
Rebecca Raskin v Mediterranean Olives Estate Limited (ACN 091 024 396) & ORS [2017] VSC...
Read More27 March 2017
A Hastie claim for privilege – Hastie Group Ltd (in liq) v Moore [2016] NSWCA...
Read More12 October 2016
Judgment in default and Accessorial Liability: Commissioner for Consumer Protection v Unleash Solar
Read More12 October 2016
Litigation funders on notice: Ryan Carter and Esplanade Holdings Pty Ltd v Caason Investments Pty...
Read More12 October 2016
Termite retains its bite: Termite Resources NL (in liq) v Meadows [2016] FCA 1171
Read More12 October 2016
Security for Costs: Fish markets go begging? Felan’s Fisheries Pty Limited [2016] NSWSC 1351
Read More10 August 2016