About Simon Sherwood
Simon is an experienced commercial litigator with extensive experience acting in complex regulatory investigations and related enforcement action, commissions of inquiry and internal investigations. He regularly acts for large corporations in relation to high-profile matters of major reputational, financial and strategic significance. Simon acts for clients across multiple sectors on significant investigations, including those involving Australian and international regulators, and has related experience in crisis management and remediation issues.
Simon draws on his previous experience advising federal agencies to assist clients to navigate complex regulatory matters, often with multiple investigating agencies, parliamentary inquiries and related disputes.
In addition to his substantial experience with regulatory investigations and disputes, Simon also brings a deep understanding of working with government. Prior to joining Allens, he regularly advised key federal regulators, including ASIC and the ACCC, on complex investigations and disputes. This included a number of high-profile matters involving large financial services companies. Simon was also the co-leader of the team of Solicitors Assisting the Financial Services Royal Commission, and was previously a Team Leader of the Solicitors Assisting the Child Abuse Royal Commission. Simon also acted for the Australian Government in relation to World Trade Organisation and Investor/State disputes.
Simon's recent experience includes acting for:
- AustralianSuper: in civil penalty proceedings commenced by ASIC in relation to multiple accounts
- PwC Australia: in relation multiple regulatory investigations concerning matters arising out of the tax confidentiality issues
- A large Australian entity: in relation to an Australian Federal Police investigation, including the execution of search warrants on premises
- Various superannuation funds: in relation to regulatory investigations being undertaken by ASIC and APRA in relation to potential breaches of financial services laws
- Various financial services entities: in relation to remediation programs to address identified misconduct or other failures
- Allianz Australia: in relation to a criminal prosecution concerning misleading statements in relation to insurance products
- Westpac: in the civil penalty proceedings commenced by AUSTRAC
- Crown Resorts Limited and its subsidiaries: in a range of matters, including the response to the NSW Casino Control Act Inquiry report, the Victorian and Western Australian Royal Commissions and an enforcement investigation and related civil penalty proceedings by AUSTRAC
- Overseas-based financial services companies: in relation to a fraud investigation and related proceedings
- Allianz Australia: in civil penalty proceedings commenced by ASIC in relation to travel insurance products
- A major Australian bank: in connection with an inquiry commenced under the Royal Commissions Act 1923 (NSW)
- Financial services entities: conducting internal investigations in relation to allegations of fraud, market manipulation and other misconduct.