Annie Leeks has in-depth experience in high-pressure litigation and arbitration having acted for major corporations in a wide range of industries, including health care, mining, energy, financial services, aviation, sports, and construction. Annie has a particular focus on resolving and managing high-stakes disputes for energy sector clients with cross-border operations, including in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region.
Prior to joining Jones Day, Annie was lead legal counsel and privacy officer at a major airline. She has also worked at top-tier international law firms in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Annie's recent experience includes acting for a multinational engineering company in a Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) arbitration in relation to the design of mining infrastructure in Vietnam, advising a joint venture participant in a Queensland-based coal project in a long-running trial in the Supreme Court of Queensland, acting on an ad hoc arbitration arising from a joint venture dispute regarding a minerals project in Papua New Guinea (PNG), managing a class action for two major construction clients brought in the Federal Court of New South Wales (NSW) related to a Brisbane-based toll road, advising a large Australian coal seam gas producer in a gas supply agreement dispute, and advising an international oil and gas company on international arbitration options arising from the detention of employees in Indonesia.
執業經驗
The following represents experience acquired prior to joining Jones Day.
Energy and Mining
Acted for an Australian coal supplier in relation to a US$160 million arbitration of a dispute regarding a coal supply contract.
Acted for a multinational mining company in a dispute with a rehabilitation contractor in the Supreme Court of Queensland.
Acted for a major U.S.-based energy company in an expert determination concerning the price of natural gas under a long-term supply contract.
Advised a leading company in the UK nuclear industry in negotiations surrounding the purchase of a nuclear facility from the UK government.
Advised an international oil and gas company on international arbitration options arising from the detention of employees in Indonesia.
Construction
Acted for a large contractor in a domestic arbitration in relation to the construction of a major tunnel network in Brisbane, including overseeing an arbitral hearing that ran for more than three months.
Acted for a contractor in a dispute relating to the fabrication and construction of piping for the Condabri and Reedy Creek water treatment facility.
Advised a major construction contractor in relation to liability for defects in a new office building in Brisbane CBD.
Class Actions
Acted for two major construction clients in a class action brought in the Federal Court of NSW in relation to a Brisbane-based toll road.
Acted for an ASX-listed entity based in Queensland in a proposed shareholder class action that was successfully resolved prior to the commencement of proceedings.
Acted for a major U.S. manufacturer and distributor of mechanical heart valves in a major product liability class action.
Acted for a major U.S. manufacturer of pharmaceuticals and medical devices in various product liability class actions and disputes.
Financial Services
Acted for a major Australian financial institution in an ASIC investigation arising out of the collapse of Storm Financial Limited.
Acted for various UK-based financial institutions in issues and disputes arising from the collapse of the Icelandic banking industry.
Aviation and Travel Industry
Managed high-profile litigation between a major Australian airline and its heavy maintenance provider in relation to a dispute under an Alliance Agreement for aircraft maintenance.
Advised an ASX-listed travel provider in a dispute with a U.S. supplier of travel-related technology services.
Oversaw privacy compliance for a major Australian airline and its frequent flyer program: resolved privacy-related issues, including complaints to the Privacy Commissioner, and provided strategic advice regarding all aspects of the business in relation to data analytics and data monetization activity.
Advised on a range of contracts across the airline and loyalty business: drafted and negotiated agreements and advised on and resolved potential disputes arising from those agreements.
Appeared in tribunal and court hearings and Human Rights Commission conciliations.
- University of Toronto (LL.M. 2006); University of Queensland (LL.B. 2003)
- Queensland and New York
Best Lawyers in Australia: recognized in Alternative Dispute Resolution (2021-2023)
Recommended in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific for Dispute Resolution (2023)