Andrew Pattinson is a competition, consumer and regulatory lawyer based in Sydney. Andrew has experience working both for and against the ACCC and is uniquely placed to help clients navigate a range of difficult regulatory issues.

Andrew's experience extends to regulated infrastructure in Australia, including advising clients on economic regulation in telecommunication, energy and transport markets. Andrew has deep sectoral knowledge of the intricacies of economic regulation in each of these sectors (as demonstrated below) having advised clients on predatory pricing and margin squeeze investigations, navigating third party access regimes and access pricing issues (acting for both access seekers and access providers).

Andrew has a Masters in Economics from King’s College London focusing on regulating digital ecosystems in Australia.

Andrew has been recognised as being one of the "Ones to Watch" in the Competition Law space, in the 2023 and 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in Australia.

Competition & Consumer

Andrew has extensive experience advising on domestic and cross border merger clearances and investigations, including working in various jurisdictions in the Asia-pacific region as well as in Africa.  Recent highlights include:

• NZIA- advising on collaboration arrangements and the attainment of net zero.
• Client in the FMCG sector - Advising on a contentious merger and investigation.
• GlaxoSmithKline plc - successfully obtaining merger clearance in a global transaction in which GlaxoSmithKline plc reached agreement with Pfizer Inc to combine their consumer health businesses into a new world-leading Joint Venture, with combined sales of approximately US$12.7 billion.
• Obtaining competition clearance for Thales' EUR 4.8 billion acquisition of Gemalto.
• Obtaining competition clearance for RMS for its sale of Tasmanian hardwood plantations.
• A client in the construction sector - in relation to a merger with a close competitor, raising competition issues in over 20 different markets.
• A prominent technology company - in making submissions to the ACCC in relation to the Google/Fitbit merger.
• A large pharmaceutical company - in defending claims of misleading and deceptive conduct.
• Assisting clients in the telecommunications sector on a variety of regulatory issues.

Telecommunications, media & technology (TMT)

Andrew has extensive experience in TMT having acted for mobile network operators, satellite companies and service providers. Recent highlights include:

• the $21 billion merger of Vodafone & TPG Telecom in Australia.
• advising a satellite company on obtaining licences and regulatory approvals in Australia and other APAC jurisdictions.
• advising on regulatory issues associated with ratings data.
• advising on a significant passive infrastructure deal in the telecommunications space.

Transport

Andrew has acted for vehicle manufacturers and industry associations. Andrew advises on the complexities of regulation and emerging technologies (including AI and cyber-security) and has worked on a 3 plus year project in this space.

Energy & Resources

Andrew has advised energy companies and financial service providers on competition and consumer issues associated with the ‘race to net zero’. Andrew has also advised a large energy company on various regulatory issues including unfair contract terms and telecommunication access regulation.