Robert is co-founder and chairman of William Roberts Lawyers. He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Laws with Distinction.
He is a Notary Public, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Robert is an experienced commercial litigator. He regularly acts for and advises on:
- regulatory matters;
- general insurance with expertise in the law of fraud and indemnity;
- life insurance;
- class actions and litigation funding;
- trade practices;
- corporations law;
- contract law; and
- cyber and privacy law.
Robert adds a different perspective to most lawyers given that he is a litigator which enables him to identify potential issues and ensure that clients avoid legal pitfalls.
Highly regarded for his ethical approach and personal integrity, Robert has the gravitas and commercial understanding to question the prevailing wisdom, withstand group pressure and remain objective.
Robert was the original author of the chapter Drafting Pleadings in The Practitioner’s Guide to Civil Litigation first edition and chapter editor in the second and third editions. Robert also reviewed and edited Pro Bono Practices: A guide to the pro bono practices of NSW’s largest law firms published by New South Wales Young Lawyers and the National Pro Bono Resource Centre.
A selection of Robert’s experience includes:
- Acted for Nick Kaldas, the former Royal Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Supreme Court of NSW in relation to a highly controversial report, including its findings, issued publicly by the (then) Acting Ombudsman. An Application for Special Leave to Appeal to the High Court of Australia was made, on the basis that the finding of the NSW Court of Appeal was invalid on the grounds of the doctrine in Kirk v Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales [2010] HCA 1. The matter was listed for hearing before the Full Court of the High Court of Australia. The matter resolved prior to the hearing of special leave.
- Acted for Natalie O’Brien, an investigative journalist then for Fairfax Media in relation to the unauthorised access of her information (call and text records) by Vodafone. This high profile matter has reached the attention of the United Nations special rapporteur for freedom of expression, David Kaye, who criticised Vodafone’s handling of the privacy breach and said the unauthorised access showed “no respect” for source protection and that the incident reflected ongoing concerns in Australia about privacy and protecting journalists’ sources.
- Johnson & Johnson Mesh Contradictor – Robert Ishak, Matthew Darke SC and Rachel Francois were appointed by the Federal Court of Australia to instruct as contradictors in the Ethicon Class Actions to put the arguments to the Court as to why the settlement should not be approved or not approved. The contradictors were then required to assist the Federal Court of Australia in relation to the legal costs incurred in the matter as well as the appointment of the Scheme Administrator.
- Acted for a high end hotel chain in Western Australia. This involved providing advice in relation to a Cyber Security incident.
- Advising The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG former Justice of the High Court of Australia and Chair of the UN.
- Advising retired Major General Michael Slater, senior officer of the Australian Army.
Robert has also advised:
- The Pope of Alexandria
- Members of the Federal and NSW judiciary
- Ministers in the Federal Government.
Passionate about giving back to the community and supporting those in need, Robert sat on the Sydney Star ball Committee in aid of the Starlight Children’s Foundation and has participated in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout where Australian leaders in business experience homeless life for one night in winter to raise awareness and funds for Vinnies to support people experiencing homelessness as part of a larger Escape from poverty campaign.