Biography
Tom Barrington-Smith commenced his legal career when he was admitted in 2014 and has worked in Commercial Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution ever since with a particular focus on insolvency and turnaround. Over the years, Tom has managed to develop a diverse legal background by advising a range of commercial clients over almost every element of civil law and, on occasion, criminal law. Apart from liaising with clients to achieve advantageous results, Tom also often advocates directly as a solicitor-advocate and has appeared in the Supreme Courts of the ACT, NSW, QLD and Victoria as well as the Federal Court. Tom has also managed matters and instructed counsel in a range of other courts including in Tasmania, South Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Tom briefly left private practice to act as a litigation consultant to the Federal Attorney-General where he advised and represented the Commonwealth on a number of high-profile matters (his confidentiality agreement prevents any bragging on his part). Tom has also acted in-house as a Director of the National Arboretum in Canberra and most recently spending a couple of years in Sydney as a litigation consultant to an investment firm.
Tom always intended to return to Canberra and joined Lexmerca Lawyers in 2022. Tom accepts that litigation comes hand-in-hand with conflict and doesn’t shy away from a dispute, however he is also a collaborative and strategic lawyer who is always looking for alternative solutions that fit with his clients’ needs, goals and values.
Tom is a member of the ACT Law Society and also holds memberships of the UNCCA – The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Coordination Committee for Australia and the Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association.
