Caroline Coops practices in the Competition and Regulatory team and guides clients through complex merger clearances, misuse of market power, cartel and JV issues, regulatory investigations, competition and consumer law litigation and retail pricing and distribution strategies.
She is described by market commentators as "the best in her field" with "exceptional knowledge and experience in merger clearance” possessing "a depth of understanding of competition law issues that is second to none", "the pre-eminent practitioner in Australia for advertising work" and by clients as "work[ing] well under pressure", "very commercial in her approach", "extremely pragmatic" and as "understand[ing] the internal temperature at [client] without needing to be told and tailor[ing] her manner… appropriately."
Caroline Coops was appointed as Chair of the Competition and Consumer Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia (2014-2016).
Caroline led the work of the Competition and Consumer Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia Committee in relation to the now implemented, Competition Policy Review (Harper Review) and is a recognised industry thought leader and contributor to policy issues.
Caroline’s expertise is particularly evidenced by her work on the following matters:
- National Australia Bank – acting for NAB in relation to its sale of MLC Wealth to IOOF and obtaining ACCC clearance of its acquisition of neo-bank 86 400.
- Woodside – acting for Woodside to obtain ACCC and international competition law clearances of its merger with BHP Petroleum
- Aurizon – acting for Aurizon to obtain ACCC clearance of its acquisition of One Rail Australia and divestment remedy for East Coast Rail
- Block Inc - acting for Block Inc to obtain ACCC clearance of its acquisition of Afterpay
- REA Group Ltd – acting for REA on the ACCC and competition aspects of its acquisition of Mortgage Choice
- Telstra – acting on Telstra's strategic competition and consumer issues including its ACCC and ACMA engagements
