Lachlan Gepp
Partner
Crystal Xu
Lawyer
Jake Talbot
Lawyer
Thomas Wilson
Senior Associate
Samantha Shields
Partner
Georgia Mackenzie
Lawyer
Kasumi Scott
Lawyer
Po Tsai
Lawyer

Lachlan Gepp

Partner

Lachlan is a specialist in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) and regulatory investigations with extensive experience advising online and land-based gambling companies, crypto exchanges and media businesses on contentious issues within highly regulated markets.

Lachlan guides clients through sensitive investigations and litigation as well as handling enforcement action with AUSTRAC, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), the eSafety Commission and state and territory-based gambling regulators such as the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission, Liquor and Gaming New South Wales, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission and the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gambling Regulation.

Lachlan’s AML/CTF experience expands to the incoming legal reforms.  He helps existing and new reporting entities understand their strict regulatory obligations and appropriately design their AML/CTF programs and risk assessment to meet the compliance requirements. This includes businesses in the professional services and commercial and residential real estate sectors.

In addition to regulatory work, Lachlan has acted for gambling companies in some of the country’s largest consumer litigation in the Federal Court of Australia and state Supreme Courts. He successfully defended claims from high-value customers alleging unconscionability, negligence and breach of contract.

Lachlan’s advice to his clients is always pragmatic and focused on business strategy and objectives. Lachlan brings unique insight into his client’s problems, with strong in-house counsel experience leading the legal team at a major Australian sporting code and the country’s largest online wagering company.

Prior to joining Hamilton Locke, Lachlan worked in litigation and regulatory teams at top-tier law firm Clayton Utz and Addisons as well as leading the in-house legal teams and the National Rugby League and Sportsbet.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Litigation and regulatory investigations; AML/CTF compliance and enforcement; White collar crime; Intellectual property; Media rights and broadcasting; Major sponsorship and entertainment arrangements.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Master of Laws (High Distinction) – University of Melbourne
  • Bachelor of Laws – University of Notre Dame Australia
  • Bachelor of Arts (Communications) – University of Western Australia

 

SELECTED REPRESENTATIONS
  • Acting for a Queensland casino on an external audit with AUSTRAC into compliance with the AML/CTF regime.
  • Acting for an extensive portfolio of major registered clubs, pub groups and crypto exchanges to uplift their AML/CTF programs and deal with compliance assessments with AUSTRAC.
  • Acting for several major real estate groups and prop-tech companies on the incoming AML/CTF reforms and designing their AML/CTF programs to ensure compliance.
  • Acted for several major online wagering companies on an external audit and compliance investigation with AUSTRAC into compliance with the AML/CTF regime.
  • Acted for Australia’s largest online and land-based gambling companies on litigation and regulatory response to sensitive investigations with the ACMA, the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission, Liquor and Gaming New South Wales, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission and the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gambling Regulation.
  • Acted for a major online wagering company against high-value customers in sensitive litigation in the Federal Court of Australia to defend unconscionability, negligence and breach of contract claims.
  • Acted for LMCT+ and Adrian Portelli to defend a criminal prosecution brought by the South Australian Liquor and Gambling Commissioner.
  • Acted for a major Australian telecommunications company on its digital media and sponsorship arrangements with the Australian Football League.
  • Acted for the National Rugby League on its major broadcast and media rights deals with Nine Entertainment and Foxtel/Kayo.
  • Acted for a major online wagering company on its media rights, streaming and sponsorship agreements with racing/sporting code partners including Australian Football League, National Rugby League, National Basketball Association, Racing Victoria, Racing New South Wales and Sky Racing.
Sydney

AREAS OF EXPERTISE