Greg Williams
Clayton Utz
Partner
Sydney
All matters involving pharma companies seem to cross his path; everybody goes to Greg, he's so well regarded and respected.
– Chambers Asia Pacific
Overview
Greg is internationally recognised by clients and legal directories as a leading litigator in class actions, product liability litigation and regulatory matters across the pharmaceutical, medical devices and automotive industries.
Greg is the National Practice Group Leader of the Commercial Litigation team.
Notable Work
- Bayer: acting in a class action commenced in the Victorian Supreme Court relating to the Essure contraceptive device. The first instance trial completed in August 2023 and judgment is currently reserved.
- VW Group: acted in five consumer class actions in the Federal Court of Australia, in respect of diesel emissions. Those class actions were case managed together with ACCC enforcement proceedings. All matters were settled in late 2019 and the class action settlements were approved by the Court in 2020.
- Subaru Australia: acted in the defence of the Takata Airbag class actions.
- App platform: acting in class action proceedings commenced on behalf of consumers and developers seeking compensation arising from alleged overpayments on in-app purchases.
- Hino Motors: acting in a class action in relation to alleged misconduct concerning engine certification of certain Hino diesel vehicles.
- Commonwealth Bank: acted in the Storm Financial Class Action. This matter ran to trial in 2013, but was settled in late 2014 before judgment was delivered.
- Merck & Co., Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited: acted successfully for in the Vioxx class action, including appearing as junior counsel at the first instance trial.
- Novartis AG: acted for in in litigation against the Department of Health in respect of the Minister's refusal to exercise discretion to reverse a price reduction.
- Various clients: acts for clients in relation to the operation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, including strategy for engaging with the Department of Health on major and minor submissions to the PBAC and rights of review and appeal from recommendations of the PBAC.
- GD Searle & Co and Monstanto Corporation: acted successfully in the Australian proceedings involving the Gravigard (Copper 7) intrauterine contraceptive device.
Insights
TGA enforcement actions rise as Court orders the biggest Therapeutic Goods Act penalty yet
4 Nov 2024 | Article
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International Comparative Legal Guide - Drug and Medical Device Litigation Australia 2023
16 Oct 2024 | Document
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Media release: Insurance disputes lawyer Sophy Woodward joins Clayton Utz partnership
3 Oct 2024 | Media Release
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International Comparative Legal Guide - Pharmaceutical Advertising 2024
8 Aug 2024 | Document
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The ACCC's 2024-25 Product Safety Priorities: children’s products, online safety, sustainability, emerging technologies and product safety data
18 Jul 2024 | Article
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Solicitors' CFOmg! – Federal Court has the power to make common fund orders in favour of solicitors (but should it use it)?
11 Jul 2024 | Article
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Artificial intelligence and legal practice: new guidelines for practitioners
11 Jul 2024 | Article
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Statutory price reduction of pharmaceutical items and applying the 12.5% Test
11 Jul 2024 | Article
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Chambers Global Practice Guide - Product Liability & Safety 2024
20 Jun 2024 | Document
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CFOs are no longer UFOs: Galactic class action is good to go with its common fund order
23 May 2024 | Article
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New product standards for furniture: navigating the new regime to address toppling furniture
21 May 2024 | Article
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International Comparative Legal Guide - Drug & Medical Device Litigation 2024
19 Apr 2024 | Document
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Justice in the class action context: recent developments in litigation funding
24 Nov 2023 | Article
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"Soft class closure" orders increase the chance of settlement at mediation
20 Oct 2023 | Article
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International Comparative Legal Guide - Pharmaceutical Advertising Australia 2023
23 Aug 2023 | Document
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Media Release: Clayton Utz claims several finalist spots in 2023 legal industry awards
23 Jun 2023 | Media Release
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Automotive snapshot: fuel consumption labels, cartels, environmental claims, class actions
27 Apr 2023 | Article
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Litigation funders watching for certainty on common fund orders in class actions
30 Mar 2023 | 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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Chambers Global Practice Guide - Product Liability and Safety 2022
26 Sep 2022 | Document
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Chambers Global Practice Guide - Medical Devices & Consumer Health Products 2022
1 Sep 2022 | Document
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From culture to compliance: Regulators confirm focus on “greenwashing” and assessment of climate change risks
22 Jun 2022 | Article
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Full Federal Court decision lowers the bar for litigation funders
22 Jun 2022 | Article
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Can class action reform be expected from the new Labor Government - not a question of "if", but "when"?
26 May 2022 | Article
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Does the limitation clock tick on after an abandoned class action? The Federal Court has its say
12 May 2022 | Article
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Automotive snapshot: RVSA transitional period, regulators' priorities, General Safety Provision, automotive class actions
21 Apr 2022 | Article
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After 30 years, class action regime still plagued with uncertainty
7 Mar 2022 | Article
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Supreme Court of Victoria grants first successful application to secure contingency fee class action funding arrangement
3 Mar 2022 | Article
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Greenfield opportunity for statutory class action regime in New Zealand: Law Commission consults on proposal
11 Nov 2021 | Article
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Protecting or creating a stumbling block for future class members: proposed reforms to litigation funding payouts
11 Nov 2021 | Article
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First contingency fee decision is another example of court discretion over funding class actions
28 Oct 2021 | Article
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Multiple class actions against one defendant: Victorian Supreme Court sets out a partial solution
30 Sep 2021 | Article
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COVID-19 Vaccination Information Distillation 3: COVID-19 vaccine claims scheme introduced for claims of $5,000 or more
16 Sep 2021 | Article
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COVID-19 Vaccination Information Distillation 2: New vaccines, regulation and a Commonwealth indemnity scheme
2 Sep 2021 | Article
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Robodebt class action settlement proves monetary compensation not an essential ingredient of a settlement
22 Jul 2021 | Article
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Reforming Australia's litigation funding and class actions 07: proportionality
10 Jun 2021 | Article
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Reforming Australia’s litigation funding and class actions 06: Common Fund Orders and legislative reform
27 May 2021 | Article
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COVID-19 Vaccination Information Distillation: TGA's registration process for the COVID-19 vaccine and what to consider now
13 May 2021 | Article
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Reforming Australia’s litigation funding and class actions 05: the benefits of a nationally uniform class action system
13 May 2021 | Article
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Automotive snapshot: ACCC priorities, Dealer agreements, lemon laws and the right to repair, Road Vehicle Standards Act
6 May 2021 | Article
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Door shut for declassing motion in Richmond Valley Council v Jardine Lloyd Thompson
29 Apr 2021 | Article
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Reforming Australia's litigation funding and class actions 04: managing conflicts of interest
29 Apr 2021 | Article
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International Comparative Legal Guide - Drug and Medical Device Litigation 2021
23 Apr 2021 | Document
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Product safety 101: Managing a recall to avoid crisis management
15 Apr 2021 | Article
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Successful environmental class action raises question of whether more will follow
1 Apr 2021 | Article
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The ACCC's product safety focus in 2021: bikes, babies and button batteries included
1 Apr 2021 | Article
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Reforming Australia's litigation funding and class actions 02: increased regulation of litigation funding
18 Mar 2021 | Article
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Attention directors: investors call for climate change management and disclosure
11 Mar 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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Reforming Australia's litigation funding and class actions 01: multiple and competing class actions
4 Feb 2021 | 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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Ski collision case sheds light on civil liability for "dangerous recreational activity"
10 Dec 2020 | Article
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Automotive snapshot: extended warranty periods, automated vehicles
1 Dec 2020 | Article
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Practical Law Country - Product liability and safety in Australia
2 Nov 2020 | Document
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The implications of introducing contingency fees to Victorian class actions
15 Oct 2020 | Article
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Year of change ahead for Therapeutic Goods Advertising Framework, following Review
15 Oct 2020 | Article
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Automotive snapshot: ACCC priorities, contactless car sales, Franchising Code, consumer data rights
1 Jul 2020 | Article
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Contingency fees now available for class actions in the Victorian Supreme Court, so expect more class actions
19 Jun 2020 | Article
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The divergence in the acceptance of Common Fund Orders continues post-Brewster – where to next?
28 May 2020 | Article
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Door (re)opened for disappointed tour groups: High Court paves way for group member compensation
14 May 2020 | Article
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Is there a pot of gold at the end of the litigation rainbow? The latest on common fund orders
30 Apr 2020 | Article
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Did the High Court really strike down common fund orders in Brewster? Options emerge for class action litigation funders
21 Feb 2020 | Article
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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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Foreign enforcement: the new Hague Convention may fill a gap in the international legal landscape
22 Aug 2019 | Article
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Changes to the documentation required for supplying medical devices in Australia
4 Apr 2019 | Article
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Litigation funders get boost from common fund orders' entrenchment by the courts
4 Apr 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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Mandatory reporting of shortages of prescription medicines comes in soon - but still some queries about what sponsors must do
25 Oct 2018 | Article
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Proposed consumer advertising code puts therapeutic goods advertising in the spotlight
5 Jul 2018 | Article
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International Comparative Legal Guide - Pharmaceutical Advertising 2018
19 Jun 2018 | Document
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Therapeutic goods advertising in the spotlight with the TGA's proposed new consumer complaints handling system
7 Jun 2018 | Article
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Major changes to Australia's Therapeutic Goods Regime commence soon
19 Feb 2018 | Article
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Litigation funding allowed by High Court: funder loses battle but wins war
30 Aug 2006 | Article
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