Duncan Travis

Expertise

Duncan is a commercial litigator with more than 20 years’ experience advising clients on complex disputes, regulatory investigations, class actions, tax litigation and product liability matters across multiple industries. He is recognised for his strategic approach to contentious matters, his ability to manage high-profile and sensitive disputes, and his strong track record of achieving commercial outcomes for clients.

Duncan regularly acts for listed corporations, multinational businesses, financial institutions, major retailers, resources companies, manufacturers and not-for-profit organisations. His practice spans all stages of dispute resolution, including investigations, inquiries, litigation, alternative dispute resolution and regulatory engagement.

He has particular expertise in class actions, regulatory and enforcement matters involving ASIC, ACCC, APRA and other regulators, commissions of inquiry, tax controversy and disputes and product liability claims. Duncan has also represented numerous directors and senior executives in compulsory examinations by ASIC and APRA.

In addition to his technical expertise, Duncan has extensive experience building and leading legal teams and managing complex stakeholder relationships.

He is known for his collaborative approach and ability to guide clients through highly sensitive and strategically significant disputes.

Experience

Duncan’s experience includes:

• acting in complex Federal Court derivative litigation involving director allegations of establishing a competitive business, diverting corporate opportunities, and breaching fiduciary duties
• representing a client in Supreme Court litigation against a law firm alleging professional negligence in connection with the sale of a shopping centre
• acting for a global motor vehicle manufacturer in class action proceedings relating to Takata airbags
• acting for a multinational pharmaceutical company in a Federal Court class action concerning alleged product side effects and product liability claims
• acting in major regulatory investigations conducted by ASIC, ACCC, APRA, state regulators and other government agencies, including investigations involving financial institutions, accounting firms, retailers, travel businesses, listed companies and pharmacy businesses
• advising senior executives, directors and boards in connection with compulsory examinations, regulatory inquiries and enforcement proceedings
• advising major corporations in Royal Commissions and inquiries, including investigations concerning the casino and gaming sector
• advising multinational and domestic clients in large-scale tax disputes, including matters involving the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax, Part IVA allegations, transfer pricing, disputes over legal professional privilege, and the research and development tax incentive deductions, audits and Federal Court litigation
• acting in product liability investigations and disputes involving motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products, consumer goods, health products, industrial products and manufacturing defects
• acting in complex commercial litigation involving shareholder disputes, contractual claims, technology implementation disputes, insolvency-related claims, property disputes, corporate governance issues and claims involving directors’ duties.

Membership

• Board Member - Faculty of Law Advisory Board, Deakin University
• Coach and Judge - Willem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Hong Kong and Vienna)