Ross Freeman has more than 22 years experience as a commercial litigator with specialisation in financial services and securities market regulation and enforcement.
A financial services industry expert, Ross is a core member of Minter Ellison's Financial Services Industry Group and the client relationship partner for some of Minter Ellison's major institutional clients in the financial services industry. His longstanding clients include Lazard and Austock.
He has extensive experience in representing clients involved in ASIC and ASX investigations and hearings, class actions, civil penalty proceedings and criminal prosecutions involving directors duties, continuous disclosure, insider trading, and other issues involving market misconduct.
He acts for investment banks, listed and other large corporations, and directors and executives in regulatory investigations and inquiries, and related litigation. He also advises and acts for dealers and investment advisors involved in ASIC banning order hearings and acts for individuals in criminal prosecutions for offences under the Corporations Act.
His prestigious court experience as a litigator includes major civil penalty proceedings including James Hardie and its former executives and directors (ASIC v McDonald & Ors) and Earglow & Ors v Sigma Pharmaceuticals, a shareholder class action.
Ross was recently recognised as being 'at the head of the pack' by the independent legal publication Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2010).
Ross is appointed to ASIC's Advisory Committee on market supervision powers.
He is also a highly engaged member of the firm, serving on Minter Ellison's National Board, as the Staff Partner for the Melbourne Office and on the firm's Partner Selection Committee. From 1 July 2011, Ross became the national head of Minter Ellison's Litigation Division.
Ross regularly presents seminars specifically designed for clients, including compliance training. He is the author of Minter Ellison publications and is regularly quoted in articles in the Australian Financial Review and The Australian on key issues and developments in the financial services industry.