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Established 1984

Unwavering resolve.
Definitive results.

Providing elite legal advocacy for complex corporate litigation and high-stakes dispute resolution across Australia.

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Areas of Practice

Corporate Litigation

Navigating complex commercial disputes with precision and formidable strategy to protect corporate interests at the highest levels.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Structuring, negotiating, and executing high-value transactions with scrupulous attention to regulatory compliance and risk mitigation.

Intellectual Property

Vigilant protection and enforcement of patents, trademarks, and trade secrets in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

40+ Years of Combined
Experience
$2.8B in Deals & Disputes
Resolved
98% Client Satisfaction
Rate
500+ Cases Successfully
Closed
Senior Counsel

Our Senior Counsel

Portrait of James Sterling

James Sterling

Senior Partner
Corporate Litigation & Dispute Resolution

"I have spent 25 years building a practice defined not by the cases we accept, but by the relentless commitment we bring to each one."

Portrait of Eleanor Vance

Eleanor Vance

Founding Partner
Mergers, Acquisitions & Capital Markets

"Precision in deal-making is not a virtue — it is a requirement. Every clause, every condition exists for a reason."

Portrait of David Ashford

David Ashford

Partner
Intellectual Property & Technology Law

"In an era where a company's most valuable assets are intangible, protecting them demands both legal mastery and technological fluency."

Our Distinction

Forty Years of Uncompromising Excellence

  • Precedent-Setting VictoriesOur landmark rulings have shaped corporate and IP law in Australia, cited in subsequent cases across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Global Legal NetworkThrough our affiliations with leading firms in London, New York, Singapore, and Hong Kong, we bring international reach to every cross-border matter.
  • Discreet, Bespoke RepresentationWe handle every matter with the absolute confidentiality that high-stakes commercial clients demand and deserve.
  • Senior Counsel InvolvementUnlike larger firms, your matter is led by a partner from day one — not delegated to junior associates after the initial brief.
Professional legal office interior
Distinguished Voices

Distinguished Client Testimonials

“

Sterling & Vance handled our $340M acquisition of a Southeast Asian competitor with a level of precision and quiet authority that I have never encountered at any firm. Their due diligence alone saved us from a structuring catastrophe that could have cost us the deal entirely.

Jonathan Hargreaves CEO, Hargreaves Capital Partners
“

When a competitor launched an aggressive trade mark infringement campaign against our core product line, we turned to David Ashford. Within four months, we had a federal court injunction and a settlement that exceeded our expectations. Their calm, methodical approach under genuine pressure was extraordinary.

Dr. Miriam Lau Founder & CEO, Lumina Biomedical
“

Facing a class action with potentially existential consequences for our company, James Sterling and his team displayed a composure and strategic brilliance that turned the tide. They negotiated a confidential resolution that protected our brand, our people, and our future without a single day in open court.

Richard Wentworth Managing Director, Wentworth Group Holdings
Our Record

Notable Victories

2023
Cross-Border Corporate Dispute

Represented a publicly listed resources group in a multi-jurisdictional shareholder dispute originating in Singapore, securing full dismissal of claims and a costs award in the Federal Court of Australia.

$485M Claim Dismissed
2022
Hostile Takeover Defence

Advised the board of a mid-cap ASX technology company through an unsolicited hostile acquisition bid, deploying a poison pill structure that preserved board control and secured a 34% premium for shareholders in a negotiated outcome.

$1.1B Negotiated Premium
2021
Intellectual Property Enforcement

Secured a landmark Federal Court injunction and damages award against an offshore manufacturer systematically copying a client's patented medical device design, establishing a new precedent for extraterritorial IP enforcement under Australian law.

$62M Damages Awarded
Begin Your Matter

Request a Confidential Consultation

Every matter entrusted to Sterling & Vance is handled with absolute discretion. Your inquiry will be received directly by a senior partner, not a general intake team. We respond within one business day.

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Or call us directly: +61 2 9999 8888