Patrick Leeson

Expertise and Practice

Patrick is a skilled commercial litigator, with broad experience in matters involving government and public law, breaches of contract, professional negligence, failures in corporate governance, partnerships, estates and claims arising in the context of corporate collapses, including those resulting from large-scale corporate fraud.

Patrick has practiced extensively in disputes involving government and administrative law issues, including sensitive matters, having spent three years at the South Australian Crown Solicitor’s Office where he acted in the capacity of solicitor and counsel and provided advice and representation on a range of matters involving diverse government clients and interests. Patrick is recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a leading Government and Administrative lawyer.

Patrick has experience with the conduct of commercial trials, has appeared as junior counsel in the High Court and Court of Appeal, and unled in the Federal Court and the South Australian Supreme Court. He also has experience with large matters before the courts of Hong Kong and Guernsey. Patrick is considered a clever, creative and reliable peer and advocate.

Patrick has been a Principal of LK since 2025. Since joining the firm in 2015, he spent 18 months as an Associate to Justices McMillan and Cameron of the Supreme Court of Victoria. He has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of International Studies from the University of Adelaide. He is admitted in the Supreme Court of South Australia, the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia.

Patrick holds a baseline level AGSVA security clearance.

Project Highlights

Private Partnership Dispute

Providing advice and representation in the context of dissolution of a medical partnership, including contested litigation. Dispute resolved at mediation on acceptable terms.

State Taxation Advice

Conducting independent reviews and assessments of objections to complex payroll tax determinations, including an analysis of the factual and legal basis for decisions. Advising the State revenue authority on the interpretation and application of payroll tax legislation and case law.

Commonwealth Government Merits Review

Providing advice and representation in relation to merits review of a decision of an agency of the Commonwealth Government relating to live animal import.

Whyalla Steelworks

Advising the South Australian Government on insolvency issues related to the Whyalla Steelworks arising from the administration of OneSteel Manufacturing Pty Ltd and related entities. Coordinated the urgent introduction of legislation to appoint an administrator to attract new investors with a view to safeguarding the jobs and livelihood of some 10,000 employees.

Rotary Club of Adelaide Charitable Trust Fund

Represented (as counsel) the Attorney-General in proceedings before the Supreme Court of South Australia concerning orders to facilitate the modernisation of a charitable trust, including varying the terms of the trust.

Hornsby Shire Council v Commonwealth of Australia

Represented (as junior counsel) the Solicitor-General for South Australia on an intervention in proceedings before the Full Bench of the High Court of Australia concerning intergovernmental financial arrangements and associated relief for invalid taxes.

Carlyle Capital Corporation Limited

Represented the liquidators of Carlyle Capital Corporation, a Guernsey company listed on Euronext, including investigations and litigation in Guernsey and the United States over the collapse of a US$22 billion hedge fund. Litigation included anti-anti-suit proceedings in the Guernsey Court of Appeal in relation to a forum dispute.

Orient Power Holdings Limited

Represented the liquidators of Orient Power Holdings Limited in audit negligence proceedings against a Big Four accounting firm in Hong Kong.

China Medical Technologies, Inc.

Represented the Hong Kong and Cayman Island liquidators of a NASDAQ-listed medical technology company, which collapsed following the alleged theft of US$500 million by senior management. A number of claims are being pursued or investigated by the liquidators, including claims for breach of fiduciary duty, negligence against directors, auditors and other advisors, and claims in dishonest assistance of those breaches of duty against two investment banks.

Publications

Efficiency and Accountability in Estate Administration – Succession Act 2023 Reforms – Part 4

LK Insights, Madeleine Harland and Patrick Leeson (December 2024)

"The cheese or jam of life" – Changes to family provision under the Succession Act 2023 – Part 3

LK Insights, Madeleine Harland and Patrick Leeson (November 2024)

Lifting the Veil: New Succession Act 2023 Reforms for Will Inspection – Part 2

LK Insights, Madeleine Harland and Patrick Leeson (November 2024)

A Succession of Succession Law Changes: Understanding the New Succession Act 2023 (SA) – Part 1

LK Insights, Madeleine Harland and Patrick Leeson (October 2024)

"They will work it out": Cy-Prés, Administration and Trust Variation Schemes for Charitable Bequests

LK Insights, Madeleine Harland and Patrick Leeson (September 2024)