Deborah
Tomkinson

LL.M.
Director of Corporate Strategy & Counsel

dtomkinson@peterandkim.com +61 2 6833 9907
Download CV (English)
Bar admission
New South Wales, 2006
High Court of Australia, 2006
Nationalities
Australian
Languages
English
Location
Sydney

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Deborah is the Director of Corporate Strategy at Peter & Kim, responsible for strategic development and special projects. She also brings her expertise in international arbitration to case work as Counsel.

Prior to joining Peter & Kim, Deborah was the Secretary-General of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA). In that role for over 12 years, Deborah was instrumental to ACICA’s strategic growth and development and its recognition as a leading arbitral institution.

Deborah has also held roles at national and international law firms both in Australia and the UAE, with a focus on dispute resolution and management, primarily in the construction & infrastructure and energy & resources sectors.
She has served as a Council Member of the International Federation of Commercial Arbitration Institutions (IFCAI), a Vice President of the Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG), a R.E.A.L Ambassador and as a member of the ICCA Cross Institutional Task Force on Gender Diversity in Arbitral Appointments and Proceedings and the ERA Search Committee.

Deborah has been recognised by Who’s Who Legal as an Arbitration Future Leader from 2021 to 2024 and was included in The Legal 500: Private Practice Powerlist - Arbitration for Australia and New Zealand in 2022.

Areas of
Expertise

  • Arbitration / Litigation
  • Private International Law
  • Commercial Contracts

Industry
Sector

  • Construction & Engineering Icon Construction & Engineering
  • Infrastructure Icon Infrastructure
  • Real Estate Icon Real Estate
  • Energy & Power Icon Energy & Power
  • Representing a large oil pipeline consortium in relation to multi-million-dollar LCIA arbitral proceedings concerning the operation of a quality bank system.
  • Representing a Dutch industrial services company in Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) proceedings with respect to claims relating to wrongful termination and defective work on an offshore project.
  • Acting for a Dubai-based property developer in DIAC arbitration proceedings in relation to claims for breach of contract and misrepresentation regarding a multi-million dollar purchase of land.
  • Acting for a Kuwaiti-based aviation company in relation to DIFC-LCIA proceedings with respect to the breach of a services agreement.
  • Advising a US Hotel Management corporation in relation to the enforcement of arbitral awards and issues of sovereign immunity in the UAE.
  • Acting for an Australian steel corporation in Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre (ADCCAC) proceedings in connection with an investment services contract.
  • Advising a major Australian oil and gas exploration and production company in relation to arbitral proceedings in relation to a network of contracts subject to an umbrella arbitration agreement.
  • Acting for an Australian state government agency in a facilitation process to resolve multiple disputes related to defects arising under a design, construct, operate and maintain deed for a road project.
  • Representing a Dubai based property developer in DIFC Court proceedings in relation to claims in excess of AED180M.
  • Acting for a foreign property developer in relation to multiple proceedings brought by off-plan purchasers in the First Instance Court of Dubai, Dubai Court of Appeal and the Dubai Court of Cassation.
  • Acting for and advising a US based pharmaceutical company in relation to an FCPA due diligence review of an acquired company with respect to its operations in the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.
  • Acting for a Turkish construction company in relation to circa AED200M claims for extensions of time, additional works and delay costs. Advising in relation to the commencement of arbitral proceedings under UAE law.
  • Acting for a large Australian construction contractor in relation to a circa AUD150 million claim in respect of the renovation and construction of a shopping centre in the Supreme Court of NSW and NSW Court of Appeal.
  • Acting for a large Australian commercial contractor in respect of a damages claim for misleading and deceptive conduct in relation to a dam spillway project, including proceedings run in the Supreme Court of NSW and resisting an application for special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia.
  • Director of Corporate Strategy & Counsel, Peter & Kim (August 2024 – present)
  • Secretary-General, Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (November 2013 – August 2024)
  • Deputy Secretary-General, Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (September 2012 – November 2013)
  • Dispute Resolution Manager, Australian Disputes Centre (September 2012 – December 2016)
  • Senior Associate, Ashurst (June 2011 – August 2012)
  • Senior Legal Consultant / Legal Consultant, DLA Piper (January 2008 – January 2011)
  • Solicitor / Graduate Lawyer, Clayton Utz (December 2005 – December 2007)
  • Graduate Lawyer / Paralegal / Summer Clerk, Coudert Brothers LLP (December 2002 – December 2003, January 2005 – September 2005)
  • Diploma of International Commercial Arbitration, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (2012) and Award Writing Exam (2013)
  • Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Macquarie University (2003)
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, Macquarie University (2003)
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK