Ben Warren
Director/Principal
Ben brings over 20 years of experience managing a wide range of commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
With expertise in advising in regard to contract preparation, compliance and governance, employment and workplace issues, asset protection and structuring, Ben is an expert in disputes. He specialises in the construction and resources industries, but also advises clients regularly in the transport, manufacturing and intellectual property fields.
Ben provides practical legal solutions to people in business, including really getting to know a client, planning risk mitigation strategies and early intervention. He strives to give clients the luxury of choosing when and how to engage with the legal system - strategically - rather than being ‘swept up’ in it against the client’s will. He has seen numerous occasions where court proceedings, often costing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, should have been avoided. His extensive experience and strategic thinking can often resolve an existing dispute to the client’s advantage.
Experience and Expertise
Ben has acted for a wide variety of clients, including ASX200 listed companies, litigation “virgins”, as well as insurance and finance companies. However, his primary focus for over a decade has been the Construction and Resource industries, where he has developed a deep understanding of the issues, including;
Industry specific payments legislation, safety concerns, licensing, insurance and contracting regulations, and contractor-employee issues. Ben’s experience finds him able to advise commercial and corporate based clients on all aspects of their business.
Acting regularly for a range of private enterprises, including an insurer, a credit union, a fuel distributor and all levels of the construction industry in debt claims and more complex disputes, including contested guarantees, enforcement and insolvency.
Contracts advisory, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance advice in a range of industries, including particularly construction, mining, transport, and financial services.
Insolvency and securities disputes, including numerous preference claims, insolvent trading, “shadow director” claims and phoenix activity.
A wide range of employment and workplace disputes, including restraints and mis-use of confidential information, employee vs contractor or 'sham' contracting, bullying and sexual harassment issues, dismissal, etc.
Ben is currently one of approximately 40 lawyers (from more than 13,000 in Queensland) accredited by the Queensland Law Society as a specialist in commercial litigation.
Ben serves as an Advisory Board Member for a Project Management business, Star PMCA, providing strategic direction, legal and industry insights to a market leading commercial project management and developments.
Ben is a long-term Rotarian, and a past President of the Rotary Club of Brisbane Mid-City, Club Secretary. He was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow, awarded for several years’ meritorious service to youth development. Prior to becoming a lawyer, among other things, Ben proudly served in the Australian Army for over 5 years as a Gunner, Command Post Operator, and Forward Observer with 1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery.