Richard Leder

Partner. Melbourne.

+61 3 9672 3489 |   |  vCard

Richard is no stranger to high pressure situations. His ability to offer keen insights and expert advice in tough situations has gained him the trust of his clients.

As a commercial litigator and media lawyer, Richard has established long-lasting relationships with his clients – including Channel Seven (for more than 20 years), The Herald and Weekly Times, and DMG Australia.

Richard also has a solid reputation in alternative dispute resolution and is a recognised expert on legal professional privilege – skills which have come to the fore when advising clients such as WorkSafe and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Richard is no stranger to high pressure situations. His ability to offer keen insights and expert advice in tough situations has gained him the trust of his clients.

As a commercial litigator and media lawyer, Richard has established long-lasting relationships with his clients – including Channel Seven (for more than 20 years), The Herald and Weekly Times, and DMG Australia.

Richard also has a solid reputation in alternative dispute resolution and is a recognised expert on legal professional privilege – skills which have come to the fore when advising clients such as WorkSafe and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

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“Has the fine intellect and street sense you need to get in there and nail difficult issues” Herald & Weekly Times

Richard's Expertise

  • Alternative dispute resolutions in addressing abuse claims Key advisor to the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne in relation to abuse claims and other matters. A pioneer in non-legal responses to claims.
  • Principal advisor to Channel Seven (Melbourne) Provides advice on issues relating to defamation, prosecutions and privacy, in collaboration with in-house counsel.
  • Pre-publication advice and litigation for well-recognised clients Advises clients including Channel Seven, The Herald and Weekly Times, DMG, Radio Sport National and the Elliott Newspaper Group.
  • Advises AED Oil on industry disputes and matters relating to contracts, tax and technology.
  • Dispute resolution on behalf of WorkSafe Advises on disputes with employers regarding workplace classification and on premium disputes, litigating in accordance with model litigant guidelines.

What others say

  • “Best Lawyer in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Defamation and Media, and Litigation” Best Lawyers Peer Review 2011
  • “Richard Leder has ‘a phenomenal knowledge of media law and is a good sounding board’.” The Asia Pacific Legal 500, 2010-2011
  • “I have had dealings with Richard through both my corporate work and the work I now do through the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. Richard has the ability to strike the right balance between common sense and what is legally correct. He understands when it is appropriate to pursue every fine legal point and when it doesn’t make commercial sense to do that. He has the fine intellect and street sense you need to get in there and nail difficult issues. He administers his work with quick hands and responsiveness.” Julian Clarke, Chairman, Herald and Weekly Times and Royal Children's Hospital Foundation

Richard's Leadership

  • Royal Children's Hospital Foundation Deputy Chairman
  • Law Council of Australia Member of the Media and Communications Committee
  • Melbourne Press Club Committee Member
  • Law Institute of Victoria Member of the Courts Practice Committee
  • University of Melbourne Advisory Board, Centre of Media and Communication Law