Gilbert + Tobin
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
|---|---|
| Offices | Sydney Melbourne Perth |
| No. of attorneys | 500+ lawyers |
| No. of employees | 1000+ employees |
| Major practice areas | Artificial Intelligence, Banking and Finance, Corporate Advisory, Competition Consumer and Market Regulation, Climate Change and Sustainability, Disputes and Investigations, Intellectual Property, Pro Bono, Real Estate, and Technology and Digital. |
| Key people | Danny Gilbert (Chairman), Sam Nickless (CEO), Tim Gordon (Executive Partner). |
| Date founded | 1988 |
| Company type | Partnership |
| Website | www.gtlaw.com.au |
Gilbert + Tobin is a commercial law firm in Australia with more than 115 partners and 1,000 employees working across its Sydney, Melbourne and Perth offices.[1] The firm specialises in transactions, disputes and regulation.[2]
History
The firm has grown significantly since its founding in 1988 to become a top tier law firm in Australia. [1]
In 2025, the pro bono team includes two partners and four lawyers who are solely dedicated to pro bono matters.
In 2001, the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law was founded at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. It functions as a research centre specialising in constitutional and administrative law, Indigenous legal issues and human rights. [2]
In 2022, Danny Gilbert stepped down from Managing Partner [3] after 33 years. Sam Nickless became Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Partner, Tim Gordon became Chief Executive Partner.[4] Danny remains with the firm and focuses on partner engagement, culture and future strategy.
In 2023, Gilbert + Tobin advocated for the voice referendum to alter the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia and establish a Voice to Parliament.[5][6] Danny Gilbert was co-chair of Yes23 and is currently Co-Chair and Director of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition Ltd.
Awards and recognition
- Best Law and Relates Services firm (200m+ revenue) in the Beaton Client Choice Awards for 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2020.[3]
- Most Innovative Law Firm in Asia-Pacific at the 2024 and 2025 FT Innovative Lawyers Awards.[4]
- Ranked Band 1 in 11 Chambers Asia-Pacific areas of law 2025 including: Climate Change, Banking & Finance: Acquisition Finance, Banking & Finance: Corporate Finance, Capital Markets: Equity, Charities, Competition/Antitrust, Corporate/M&A, Intellectual Property, Private Equity, TMT: IT & Telecommunications and Fintech Legal.[5]
Other awards include:
- Private Equity Legal Adviser of the Year in conjunction with AVCJ at the MergerMarket M&A awards in 2024 and 2023.[6]
- Transactions and Advisory Law Firm of the Year and Impact Case of the Year at the Managing IP Asia-Pacific Awards 2024.[7]
- Law Firm of the Year for Information Technology Law and Private Equity Law at Best Lawyers 2024.[8]
Notable Alumni
- Michelle Rowland, Attorney-General of Australia [9]
- Samantha Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia [10]
- Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Chair of the ACCC [11]
- Liza Carver, Commissioner of the ACCC [12]
- Anna Mitchelmore SC, Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW [13]
- Dr Ruth Higgins SC, President, NSW Bar Association [14]
- Carolyn Lidgerwood, Authority Member of the Australian Communications and Media Authority. [15]
References
- ^ Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers. "Who We Are". www.gtlaw.com.au.
- ^ Pelly, Michael (23 March 2022). "Danny Gilbert stepping down as managing partner". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ "Danny Gilbert stepping down as managing partner". Australian Financial Review. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Gilbert + Tobin founder promises 'space' for new leaders". Australian Financial Review. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Staff, clients 'need to understand importance of Voice'". Australian Financial Review. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Allam, Lorena; Butler, Josh (19 February 2023). "Voice referendum: who's behind the yes and no campaigns and how do they plan to convince Australia?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 July 2025.