Ross McInnes
Clayton Utz
Partner
Sydney
A very strategic lawyer with a deep understanding of the client and an ability to manage multiple high-profile matters
– Chambers Asia-Pacific
Overview
Ross McInnes is the Chair of the Clayton Utz Board, specialising in mass consumer disputes, class action litigation, and financial services regulatory matters. Widely recognised for his strategic and pragmatic approach, he is the co-author of Australia's first annotated textbook on class actions (Annotated Class Actions Legislation - LexisNexis, Edn 3, 2023) and has been a key player in some of Australia's most significant consumer remediation programs and high-profile class action cases.
Notable Work
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia - Royal Commission into Financial Services: lead Partner assisting CBA, navigating high-stakes and detailed review.
- ASIC Investigations and Enforcements: currently assisting CBA in various ASIC investigations, developing a deep relationship with the ASIC investigation and enforcement teams.
- C-Suite Representation: acting for numerous C-Suite individuals in regulatory examinations.
- Consumer Credit Insurance (CBA and CMLA): advising in Federal Court class action concerning the sale of consumer credit insurance products.
- AMP Life Class Action: acting in a case involving alleged loss and damage caused by excessive account fees.
- Merck & Co Inc and MSDA: acted in one of the largest product liability class actions in Australia.
- Eli Lilly: defended against complex class action disputes related to Parkinson's disease treatment.
- CBA APRA Inquiry: advised CBA on governance, culture, and accountability in dealing with non-financial risks.
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia - Open Advice Review Program: advised on the largest customer-focused remediation program of its type in Australia.
- Co-author of Australia's first annotated textbook dealing with class actions: annotated Class Actions Legislation (LexisNexis, Edn 2, 2017).
Insights
Resilience under fire: five cyber risk considerations for superannuation boards after the industry-wide breach
8 Apr 2025 | Article
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ASIC’s enforcement priorities for 2025 – some new and some renewed
27 Nov 2024 | Article
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ASIC digs deeper on scam management practices in non-major banks
29 Aug 2024 | Article
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Financial Accountability Regime: ASIC and APRA issue final rules and information for insurers and superannuation providers
18 Jul 2024 | Article
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Financial Accountability Regime: Final rules and guidance before FAR commencement
14 Mar 2024 | Article
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Media release: Clayton Utz launches accessible e-learning hub for organisations to navigate new financial services regulations
16 Nov 2023 | Article
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Media Release: Clayton Utz names Ross McInnes as next Board Chair
4 Jul 2023 | Media Release
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ASIC's 2023 regulatory timetable, updated enforcement priorities and latest enforcement and regulatory report
21 Feb 2023 | Article
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ASIC releases enforcement and regulatory update for July to September 2022
21 Dec 2022 | Article
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Financial Accountability Regime delayed as the Government reconsiders civil penalties for individuals
25 Nov 2022 | Article
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High Court ruling on foreign residents as group members in Australian class actions raises practical issues for respondents
12 Oct 2022 | Article
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Class action waivers in Australia: still some uncharted waters after The Ruby Princess decision
16 Sep 2022 | Article
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ASIC releases enforcement and regulatory update for second quarter of 2022
18 Aug 2022 | Article
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Media Release: Clayton Utz claims over 200 spots in The Best Lawyers in Australia and inaugural 'Ones to Watch' 2023 Editions
21 Apr 2022 | Media Release
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One step closer to FAR: more details known of the Financial Accountability Regime Bill
11 Nov 2021 | Article
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ASIC's new regulatory guidance on breach reporting for AFS and credit licensees commences 1 October
10 Sep 2021 | Article
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ASIC's new Corporate Plan: "Why not litigate" takes a backseat in the name of economic recovery
2 Sep 2021 | Article
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Not FAR off – the Financial Accountability Regime proposed implementation starting July 2022
5 Aug 2021 | Article
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Shareholder class action update: Full Federal Court rules foreign residents can be group members in Australian class actions
10 Jun 2021 | Article
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ASIC details record-breaking penalties in new Enforcement Update for July to December 2020
27 May 2021 | Article
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High Court's call on competing class actions useful, but more reform needed to bring certainty for all parties
10 Mar 2021 | Article
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ASIC's new immunity policy for market misconduct offences benefits individuals
24 Feb 2021 | Article
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Shareholder class action update: can foreign residents be group members in Australian class actions?
23 Dec 2020 | Article
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Federal Parliament Committee releases mammoth report on Litigation Funding and Regulation of the Class Action Industry
22 Dec 2020 | Article
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ASIC continues with its enforcement agenda but is conscious of COVID-19's impact on the Australian financial system
1 Oct 2020 | Article
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ASIC releases Enforcement Update for July to December 2019: What has the corporate regulator been up to?
14 May 2020 | Article
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ASIC and APRA provide update on post-Financial Services Royal Commission regulation
5 Mar 2020 | Article
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Financial Services Royal Commission - Exposure draft legislation briefing note
6 Feb 2020 | Document
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Class action litigation funders hit a hurdle as the High Court strikes down common fund orders
4 Dec 2019 | Article
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Federal Government and regulators all moving on Financial Services Royal Commission recommendations, but more to come
5 Sep 2019 | Article
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Governance, culture, accountability – APRA voices its expectations and intentions
30 May 2019 | Article
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Media Release: Legal industry peers rate Clayton Utz highly in the latest Best Lawyers Australia list
29 Mar 2019 | Media Release
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Financial Services Royal Commission part 6 - Competition in home lending
25 Feb 2019 | Document
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Financial Services Royal Commission part 5 - A new regulatory frontier – APRA's approach to supervision and enforcement in a post-Royal Commission environment
21 Feb 2019 | Document
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Financial Services Royal Commission part 3 - A new regulatory frontier – ASIC enforcement in a post-Royal Commission environment
8 Feb 2019 | Document
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Major changes on the way for Australian banking and financial services sector in the Federal Budget
10 May 2017 | Article
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