Caitlin practises in the commercial litigation team at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers with a focus on competition and consumer protection law, regulatory and governance investigations and enforcement actions, privacy, intellectual property law and brand protection, media entertainment law and contractual disputes.
Caitlin has assisted clients in proceedings and regulatory investigations throughout Australia. Caitlin has assisted clients in the defence and/or prosecution of IP infringement proceedings (including copyright and trademark infringement), proceedings for defamation, proceedings for breach of directors’ duties and whistleblower claims. Caitlin provides advice and assistance to clients who are the subject of regulatory investigations and proceedings, including the ACCC, the ASIC and state-based authorities (such as CBS). Caitlin has provided advice and assistance in relation to a range of matters under the Competition and Consumer Act (including the Australian Consumer Law), including advice in relation to advertising ACCC cartel investigations, merger clearances and non-merger conduct authorisations. Caitlin also provides advice in relation to a range of privacy and spam related issues, and consumer law issues affecting marketing and promotional materials.
In January 2020, Caitlin was recognised as a key lawyer and Rising Star in Media & Entertainment by the Legal 500. In May 2021, Caitlin was recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Rising Star in Intellectual Property, Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law nationally. In May 2022, Caitlin was named in the South Australian list of Rising Stars in Intellectual Property & TMT by Doyle’s Guide. In May 2023 and May 2024, Caitlin was recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a recommended intellectual property and TMT lawyer in the South Australia. In April 2024 and April 2025, Caitlin was named by Best Lawyers as ‘One to Watch’ for Litigation.
Expertise
Experience
- Commonwealth regulatory authority Advising in respect of its initial investigations into potential breaches of financial regulatory legislation and competition and consumer legislation by former company directors, and in respect of its subsequent prosecution of those breaches in the Federal Court.
- Commonwealth statutory authority Providing advice in respect of an investigation into competition concerns arising from a proposed merger.
- Councils Advising in relation to conflict of interest issues, and various matters arising under the Local Government Act 1999 (SA) including code of conduct complaints.
- National convenience retail company Acting in proceedings concerning breaches of contractual obligations and intellectual property infringement.
- State Casino Advising in respect of an independent, regulatory investigation conducted by a state regulator into its suitability to hold a casino licence.
- Major fuel retailer Acting in respect of proceedings brought for passing off and intellectual property infringement.
- Major fuel retailer Advising in an urgent interlocutory injunction for breaches of contractual restraints.
- Mining organisation Acting in respect of its prosecution of a former employee for breaches of fiduciary duties and statutory duties under the Corporations Act in the Federal Court.
- Various clients Advising in respect of their responses to Notices to Produce issued by regulatory authorities, including ASIC and the ACCC.
- An employer Advising in respect of a whistleblower claim made by an ex-employee in the Federal Court.
- National health insurer Providing advice in respect of competition and consumer law issues affecting its marketing/advertising campaigns, and consumer and competition law issues arising from customer complaints.
- National media networks Advising national medial networks including News Corp and Seven Network in relation to defamation proceedings and pre-publication matters, as well as various clients in relation to defamation matters, including claims arising from electronic publications and social media.
