Rowling, Zita

Zita is one of our most experienced dispute resolution practitioners with a wealth of understanding gained over more than 30 years acting for Commonwealth agencies in public law and commercial disputes and litigation in various courts and tribunals.

She has led large teams to conduct significant litigation, requiring coordination both within and outside the Commonwealth, and complex investigations, discovery and evidence. This includes leading the Commonwealth team on the Davis Samuel litigation, a large and complex equity action and subsequent appeals and insolvencies arising from a fraud against Finance. Most recently, she co-led the AGS team representing the Commonwealth in the Robodebt Royal Commission.

She advises and represents the Commonwealth in various commercial disputes. This includes significant contracts for services arising from construction of capital works, and resolved by way of negotiations, mediation, binding expert determinations and court proceedings. She also routinely advises, trains and mentors staff in debt recovery and tort claims, contract claims and disputes (including insurance, building and construction, and intellectual property claims), and in insolvency, enforcement and regulation and administrative reviews including under the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 and other Acts.

Relevant experience

Zita’s relevant work includes:

• complex recoveries and rectification of remuneration for a cohort of staff of an agency involving salary and superannuation over and underpayments including superannuation guarantee shortfalls
• providing insolvency advices and litigation including acting for and advising the Australian Financial Security Authority
• assisting with civil regulatory matters including for Parks Australia, Therapeutic Goods Administration and Wine Australia
• working on commercial disputes, including significant tenancy issues and copyright dispute. 

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws, Queensland University of Technology, 1989

Recognition

Australia Day Award, 2004: Team award for work on the HMAS Westralia litigation.

Australia Day Award, 2002: Individual award for work on Davis Samuel.