James Walker

James Walker

August 2013, Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice

December 2012, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Hons), including subject prizes for Constitutional Law and Media Law

Called to the bar 2023

James accepts briefs in most areas of law, principally in commercial litigation, administrative law and criminal law.

Prior to joining the Bar, James was a Senior Associate in the Commercial Litigation team at Clayton Utz. He acted on a range of matters including class actions, civil penalty proceedings, contractual disputes, regulatory investigations, and anti-money laundering compliance. James also assisted clients respond to regulatory notices and prepare for compulsory examinations.

James was previously a solicitor in ASIC’s Chief Legal Office. He conducted proceedings in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Federal Court and provided advice about issues including administrative, corporations and financial services law.

James is also an experienced advocate, having commenced his career as a prosecutor in the Office of the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions. His experience includes appearing unled in numerous summary prosecutions, led and unled in Supreme Court judge alone and jury trials and led in the Court of Appeal. James was the instructing solicitor in three appeals to the High Court and several special leave applications.

Practice Areas

Administrative and Public Law
Class Actions
Commercial
Consumer Law
Corporations
Criminal Law
Inquests and Commissions of Inquiry
Regulatory and Compliance Law

Experience

September 2020-April 2023, Senior Associate and Senior Lawyer, Clayton Utz

April 2019-September 2020, Senior Specialist (EL2) and Senior Lawyer (EL1), ASIC

September 2013-March 2019, Prosecutor, ACT ODPP

 

Selected Cases

The Queen v Holliday (2017) 260 CLR 650

The Queen v GW (2016) 258 CLR 108

Gillard v The Queen [2014] HCA 16