Ian Nathaniel
Partner
Melbourne
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 is great in navigating complex matters with clarity, diligence and attention to detail.’
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Competition and trade, 2026 edition
‘Ian Nathaniel – incredibly personable, shows considerable interest in our matters and provides quick and excellent counsel.’
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Competition and trade, 2026 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
‘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 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
Accolades
- Thomson Reuters – Stand Out Lawyer 2026
- 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 – 2023 & 2024 editions
Memberships
- Law Society of South Australia
- Law Society of New South Wales
- Law Institute of Victoria
- Former South Australian Business Ambassador
![Litigation funders on notice: Ryan Carter and Esplanade Holdings Pty Ltd v Caason Investments Pty Ltd & Ors [2016] VSCA 236 - Insight](https://piperalderman.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/litigation-funding-banner-768x320.jpg "Litigation funders on notice: Ryan Carter and Esplanade Holdings Pty Ltd v Caason Investments Pty Ltd & Ors [2016] VSCA 236")