Luke Barrett

Luke is a partner and leads Gilbert + Tobin's superannuation team.

Luke has more than 25 years of experience in financial services, specialising in superannuation law and investments. He has advised industry funds, retail funds and corporate funds across all aspects of their businesses, with deep experience advising on defined benefits, accumulation and retirement-phase products and in connection with the investment strategies that underpin them.

Prior to joining Gilbert + Tobin, Luke served as General Counsel for one of Australia’s largest industry super funds for five years during his 15 year tenure. During his time there, he established and led the superannuation industry’s first inhouse Investments Legal team for ten years. With extensive industry experience and a deep understanding of the superannuation sector, Luke complements G+T’s expertise in corporate advisory and M&A transactions. This synergy enables Luke to deliver comprehensive advisory support tailored to super funds, covering the full spectrum of legal and regulatory issues that arise in superannuation, including fund mergers, listed investments and private market transactions.

When advising funds on their listed and private market investments, it’s crucial to understand the specific expectations of superannuation fund investors. Luke’s advice is enhanced by his deep understanding of these expectations and is supported by exceptional advice from G+T’s market-leading transaction specialists.

Luke has a track record of efficiently resolving delicate and complex issues for superannuation funds. That experience includes successfully defending and responding to allegations of greenwashing and other climate-related claims against trustees. His industry insights and understanding of best practices mean he can assist clients with navigating ESG issues.

Leveraging his operational experience, Luke assists funds with investigating complex incidents, breach reporting and designing sophisticated compensation methodologies for the efficient remediation of complex breaches. He also has extensive experience representing clients facing regulatory and parliamentary investigations and inquiries.

Clients value his pragmatic and commercial legal advice which draws on his unique combination of deep industry, boardroom, in-house, and private practice experience. Luke understands the needs and challenges of in-house legal counsel, making him an invaluable asset in navigating complex legal issues while ensuring alignment with business objectives.