Background
Jonathon Dooley is a barrister specialising in commercial law and equity. His broad practice focuses on several key areas, including class actions, building and construction claims, commercial law, property law and insolvency.
Jonathon has built a strong reputation at the NSW Bar based on his core values of responsiveness, meeting deadlines and being upfront with costs and billing. He is briefed by firms of all sizes – including by large firms in complex high-value litigation, as well as by boutique firms and regional firms.
From 2008 to 2014, Jonathon worked as a solicitor at Allens, where he was appointed a Senior Associate in 2011. In his role, Jonathan was responsible for a number of complex pieces of commercial litigation. Before that, Jonathan worked as a graduate at Sparke Helmore. In 2006, Jonathon worked as the Tipstaff to the Hon. Justice P.A. Bergin, then the Commercial List Judge in the Equity Division.
Outside of work, Jonathon tries to exercise as much as his often sore legs permit, is a fan of the NBA, and enjoys reading things completely unrelated to the law.
Professional recognition
- Doyles Guide Leading Construction & Infrastructure Junior Counsel – New South Wales – Recommended 2026
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (UNSW) 2005
Specialisations
- Class actions, including ASX non-disclosure, debenture trustee duties, employee benefits, and COVID-19 business interruption claims.
- Building and construction claims, including major infrastructure (including mines in Australia and Vietnam, and tunnels used for civilian traffic), liquidated damages for over $20 million, claims for defective work, and security for payment act.
- Commercial law, including misleading conduct concerning sales of businesses and commercial leases, issuance of performance bonds, derivative actions in relation to large-scale property developments.
- Property law, including commercial leases, trustees for sale, relief against forfeiture, and extension of caveats.
- Insolvency and bankruptcy law, including unfair preferences and uncommercial transactions, termination of winding up, reinstatement of deregistered companies, and directors’ duties.