Phi Finney McDonald is a specialist litigation law firm with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, and London. We practice in complex and large-scale litigation, with a focus on class actions and group litigation.
Our founders previously led the Australian and UK class action litigation practices at one of Australia’s largest plaintiff law firms. With over forty years of litigation experience and forty years of specialist class actions experience, together, they have achieved more than half a billion dollars in class action settlements.
Phi Finney McDonald has received judicial recognition for bringing innovation to the Australian class actions and litigation funding markets. The firm is ranked by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 for its class actions expertise, and by Doyle’s Guide as a leading Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution firm. Client and peer testimonials in Legal 500 include:
Absolutely, a top-tier firm for handling class actions on the claimant side. The firm combines the creativity and nimbleness of a boutique firm with big firm quality and experience.
There is clear blue water between this firm and any other firm active in this area in Australia. No other claimant-side firm in the collective action space can rival team members’ expertise, creativity and client-reach.
Phi Finney McDonald has a strong social conscience that influences every aspect of our practice. It informs the types of claims we take on, how we treat our clients, and how we operate as a business. We measure success by the positive difference we make to the world around us and the results we achieve for our clients. We achieve justice for abuse victims, recover compensation for duped investors, and protect those who would protect the environment.
We act for those who have suffered loss or injury by corporate or government misconduct, and work with those who would challenge unjust laws, corrupt institutions and unfair structures. Our approach is problem-solving and strategic – we think laterally, and use all available tools and resources to solve problems quickly. We hate cliques, inefficiency and bureaucracy. Our clients receive the best outcome and great service at a low cost. Our employees receive fantastic benefits, and the space to develop in an informal and collaborative environment.
About Class Actions
Strong individual claims are often too small to warrant legal costs and litigation risk. Aggregating individual claims into a class action levels the playing field. We can enlist the best barristers and experts in our clients’ cause and divide the cost over a larger pool of damages. Our clients receive the best representation at a fraction of what it would cost to litigate individually, allowing them to pursue claims they might otherwise have abandoned.
Third Party Litigation Funders
We have developed strong and enduring relationships with litigation funders over many years. We have gained trust by owning our results and refusing to outsource strategy or shift accountability. We adapt with changing circumstances and preserve underlying case economics for the benefit of funders and clients.
Awards and Accolades
Doyles Guide
2022: Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – Victoria, 2022
Leading: Ben Phi
Recommended: Odette McDonald; Tim Finney
Leading Class Action Lawyers – Australia, 2022
Ben Phi
Tim Finney
Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Law Firms – Victoria, 2022
Third Tier
2021: Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – Victoria, 2021
Leading: Ben Phi
Recommended: Odette McDonald; Tim Finney
Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Law Firms – Victoria, 2021
Third Tier
2020: Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – Victoria, 2020
Leading: Ben Phi
Recommended: Odette McDonald; Tim Finney; Paul Zawa
Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Law Firms – Victoria, 2020
Third Tier
2019: Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – Victoria, 2019
Recommended: Ben Phi; Tim Finney
Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Law Firms – Victoria, 2019
Recommended
2018: Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – Victoria, 2018
Leading: Ben Phi
Recommended: Odette McDonald; Tim Finney
Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Law Firms – Victoria, 2018
Third Tier
2017: Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – Victoria, 2017:
Recommended: Ben Phi; Tim Finney
Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Law Firms – Victoria, 2017:
Recommended: Phi Finney McDonald
The Legal 500
2023: Asia Pacific Australia Dispute Resolution: Class Actions: Leading Firm: Third Tier
2022: Asia Pacific Australia Dispute Resolution: Class Actions: Leading Firm
2022: Green Guide – Asia Pacific: Recommended Firm
2021: Asia Pacific Australia Dispute Resolution: Class Actions: Third Tier
2020: Asia Pacific Australia Dispute Resolution: Class Actions
2019: Asia Pacific Australia Dispute Resolution: Class Actions
Chambers and Partners
2023: Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Plaintiff): Band 2
2022: Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Plaintiff): Band 2
2021: Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Plaintiff): Band 2
2020: Asia – Pacific Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Plaintiff)
2019: Asia – Pacific Dispute Resolution: Mainly Plaintiff
Benchmark Litigation
2023: Asia Pacific – Australia – Class Action: Highly Recommended
2022: Asia Pacific – Australia – Class Action: Highly Recommended
2021: Asia Pacific – Australia – Class Action: Highly Recommended
2021: Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards: Shortlisted Australian Firm of the Year
2020: Asia Pacific – Australia – Class Action: Recommended
Australasian Law Awards
2023: Excellence Award: Boutique Firm of the Year
2022: Excellence Award: Boutique Firm of the Year
2019: Finalist – Boutique Firm of the Year
Australian Law Awards
2018: Finalist – Boutique Law Firm of the Year
ALTA Awards
2022: Finalist – Outside the Square
2022: Finalist – Change Maker (Craig Macaulay)