Robert Glavas

Robert practises in commercial law, with a particular focus on corporate disputes, class actions, consumer law (especially misleading and deceptive conduct), industrial disputes, and complex contractual and equitable claims.  He is often briefed in matters where these areas of law intersect.

Robert has acted for a diverse range of clients including large multinationals (eg, Bupa, GlaxoSmithKline, Wells Fargo, Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar, Motorola and Siemens), publicly listed and private companies, insurers, government and individuals. He is currently briefed in several substantial class actions.

Previously a partner of a large national law firm, Robert holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Melbourne and is a nationally accredited mediator.

Robert read with Anna Robertson (as her Honour then was) and his senior mentor was Julian Burnside AO QC.

Selected matters

McDonald's Rest Breaks class action (current) — Acting for over 300 McDonald's franchisees in defence of claims brought by Unions seeking compensation of over $300m and penalties in respect of alleged failures to provide rest breaks. (Led by Anthony Strahan KC with Alex Manos, instructed by Colin Biggers & Paisley)

See Elliot-Carde v McDonald’s Australia Limited (2023) 301 FCR 84; [2023] FCA 1210 and Elliot-Carde v McDonald’s Australia Limited (2023) 415 ALR 296; [2023] FCAFC 162

McDonald's Managers class action (current) — Acting for over 300 McDonald's franchisees in defence of claims brought by a Union seeking compensation of approximately $100m and penalties in respect of alleged unpaid pre-shift and post-shift work by managers. (Led by Anthony Strahan KC with Alex Manos, instructed by Colin Biggers & Paisley)

See Rogers v McDonald’s Australia Ltd [2026] FCA 542

Grill'd Rest Breaks class action (current) — Acting for Grill’d in the defence of class action proceedings concerning the alleged failure to provide rest breaks.  (Led by Anthony Strahan KC, instructed by Colin Biggers & Paisley)

McDonald's Sundays public holiday pay class action (current) — Acting for the test-case McDonald's franchisee in the defence of class action proceedings concerning alleged underpayments for work performed on Sundays by all McDonald’s employees in South Australia.  Managed together with related class actions against Coles, Woolworths and Hungry Jacks.  (Led by Anthony Strahan KC with Alex Manos, instructed by Colin Biggers & Paisley)

VICT v CFMMEU – S CI 2017 04871 – Acted for container terminal operator seeking damages for loss of opportunity of approximately $100m in relation to claims in tort arising out of alleged unlawful picketing.  (Led by Stuart Wood KC with team of Counsel, instructed by Seyfarth Shaw)

Chiodo Corporation Pty Ltd v Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club Limited, S ECI 2020 02855 — Acted for the developer in proceedings seeking damages of approximately $170m for loss of opportunity arising from claims of breach of contract and misleading or deceptive conduct in relation to the aborted redevelopment of the defendant's golf course. (Led by Cam Truong KC, instructed by Brand Partners)

Wells Fargo International Finance (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sharma, VID 341/2023 — Acted for the bank in proceedings seeking urgent injunctive relief to restrain a former employee from joining a competitor, soliciting clients, and using or disclosing confidential information (Led by Robyn Sweet KC, instructed by Baker McKenzie)

Certain Underwriters v Speedie Waste Australia Pty Ltd & Ors, C-23-03213 — Acted for the insurer in proceedings seeking declarations as to the identity of an injured worker's employer in the context of a denial of indemnity and concurrent personal injury proceedings. Defences raised included waiver, election by affirmation and ineffective reservation of rights. Resolved shortly before a 15-day trial. (Led by Anthony Strahan KC, instructed by Kennedys)

AFLW v Bonnie Toogood - acted for Essendon AFLW captain before the AFL Tribunal in the appeal of a suspension for rough conduct (instructed by Essendon Football Club)

Chang v Gu, S ECI 2023 00747 — Acted for the plaintiff in the successful defence of a summary judgment application in proceedings asserting an interest in property pursuant to constructive and resulting trust, including detailed argument on principles of equitable fraud. (Unled, instructed by Aptum)

ASX company - Pre-litigation advice in relation to misleading and deceptive conduct arising out of the recruitment and termination of a C-suite executive. (Unled, instructed by Mallesons)

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd v Alchemy Agencies Pty Ltd, SCNSW 2020/226492 — Acted for the pharmaceutical company in claims for damages of approximately $3m for breach of contract, negligence and breach of Sale of Goods legislation arising from the supply of pharmaceutical ingredients (Led by Anna Robertson, instructed by Maddocks)

Peter Rowland Group Pty Ltd v Biddle, VID 1104 of 2023 — Acted for the applicant company in Federal Court proceedings against its former Chief Executive Officer for breach of directors' and fiduciary duties, and in concurrent general protections proceedings. (Unled, instructed by Gadens)

Jeffery v Kyalami Enterprises Pty Ltd & Ors, S ECI 2022 02663 — Acted for the company and majority shareholders in the defence of oppression proceedings arising from the alleged wrongful termination and exclusion from management of the founder shareholder. (Unled, instructed by Gadens)

Keybridge Capital Limited v Ragusa Minerals Ltd & Anor, S ECI 2021 00329 — Acted for the investment and financial services firm in claims against the seller of shares and an accounting firm for misleading or deceptive conduct arising from a share sale transaction. (Led by Andrew Broadfoot KC, instructed by Allen & Overy)