Janet Whiting

Partner
Gilbert + Tobin

Janet heads Gilbert + Tobin’s Disputes practice in Melbourne and, with over 30 years’ experience, is one of the pre-eminent disputes lawyers in Australia, highly regarded for her strategic advice, detailed analysis and providing commercial solutions. She practices in the senior courts in Australia and in international and domestic arbitrations. She has acted in some of the largest and most complex disputes in Australia and has recently obtained the largest damages claim in Victoria in a non-class action. Janet has extensive experience in commercial disputes with particular focus in the financial and regulatory arenas.

Janet also has extensive governance and probity experience through not only providing advice professionally but also wide spread experience in risk, finance and audit sub-committees of various organisations over 15 years. She has been involved in the corporate arena as a director throughout her professional career. As a result, she has an extensive appreciation of the issues that face business leaders, not only from a legal perspective but also having regard to the commercial, political and public imperatives that need to be considered when directing organisations.

Janet was previously named one of Australia’s 100 Most Influential Women in the Westpac Banking Corporation and Australian Financial Review ‘100 Women of Influence Awards 2012 in the category of Boards and Management. Janet is the current President of the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria, the first woman to hold the position in the Gallery’s 160 year history and chairs Visit Victoria. In 2015, Janet was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to the community through the arts, health and major events sectors and as a legal professional and was inducted onto the 2015 Victorian Honour Roll of Women by the Premier of Victoria.