Rebecca is a commercial litigator specialising in complex environmental contamination disputes, environmental torts and class actions. She has acted in Australia's most significant environmental contamination matters, including major PFAS and contamination claims involving government, energy, resources and infrastructure clients.
Rebecca’s work highlights include:
- PFAS Contamination Actions: representing the Department of Defence in their ongoing PFAS litigation, alleging contamination of groundwater surrounding 11 Defence Bases due to historic use of firefighting foam, including three class actions filed in the Federal Court and separate claims filed in the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Environmental Class Actions: represented Gladstone Ports Corporation in a class action in the Supreme Court of Queensland concerning contamination of the Gladstone Harbour and far north Queensland fishing areas. Securing $6.2million plus costs settlement approval in GPC’s favour
- Contamination litigation: represented a government owned corporation to defend a claim of continuing nuisance for alleged contamination commencing two decades prior to the claim
- Joint Venture Budget Disputes: represented an ASX200 company in its annual budget disputes, including expert determination processes
- Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements: developed the inquiry structure of the Royal Commission as in-house solicitors, worked with policy departments to lead evidence and prepare Final Report and recommendations in relation to environmental practices
- Aurizon litigation: represented Aurizon in a claim for user damages against protesters and those inciting trespass on Aurizon’s property in relation to the Carmichael Coal Mine
- United Petroleum Class Action: assisting United Petroleum in its defence of a claim brought in the Supreme Court of Victoria for unfair contract terms, alleged breaches of the Oil Code and Franchise Code
With over a decade of experience, she has also represented clients in nine Royal Commissions and State inquiries, including as solicitors assisting for the Royal Comission into Defence Veterans Affairs and multi-jurisdictional mass tort class actions, and company on company litigation and appeals, filed in the High Court of Australia, Federal and Supreme Courts as well as internationally in the Singapore International Commercial Court.
