Andrew Tragardh
Managing Partner & Founder
Andrew Tragardh commenced his career as a commercial litigation solicitor with one of the most prestigious law firms in Australia, Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now known as Allens Linklaters).
He then moved to Madgwicks Lawyers, a firm with a heavy focus on insolvency which at the time acted for the liquidators of the now infamous Pyramid Building Society. Encouraged by the partners of the firm, Andrew completed an overseas secondment with a firm of private commercial fraud investigators in London, England; Network Security Management Ltd. In London, he worked hand in glove with the investigators and external lawyers in a variety of fraud related cases, including matters where assets were traced to foreign jurisdictions.
Upon his return to Australia, Andrew forged a formidable reputation for acting for organisations and individuals affected by fraud and related conduct. In 1998 he was the first lawyer to complete the Certified Fraud Investigators Course – held by the Victoria Police Major Fraud Squad in conjunction with the Faculty of Law and Management at Latrobe University. In 2000-2001 Andrew represented a significant party called before the Metropolitan Ambulance Service Royal Commission who was exonerated from all allegations of misconduct.
After 11 years as a solicitor, Andrew joined the Victorian Bar, and for the next 14 years he had a reputation as the ‘go to’ fraud barrister, recognised by his peers and the Courts as an expert in commercial fraud cases and white collar crime defence. His work at the Bar included appearing in Courts in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Andrew’s pre-eminence has been recognised since 2019 in the Best Lawyers awards and since 2022 in Doyle’s Guide for Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers.
‘Our objective at Duxton Hill is to deliver more positive outcomes for clients
pursuing or defending fraud, misconduct or financial crime cases.’
– Andrew Tragardh, Managing Director & Founder
Message From the Founder
A small sample of some of Andrew’s significant matters include:
(For privacy and confidentiality reasons not all Andrew’s most significant matters are listed.)
Successful Defence of ASIC Prosecution against AWB Executive
Successfully defending a former AWB Executive in civil penalties proceedings issued by ASIC following the United Nations Oil-for-Food scandal (see ASIC v Geary [2018] VCSA 103 and ASIC v Flugge & Geary [2016] VSC 779 )
$16m Recovery in Supreme Court
Representing Dual Insurance in the successful recovery of over $16M following the discovery of asset misappropriation fraud committed by an employee to the value of $17M.
Read news article here.
Belle Gibson
Representing Belle Gibson and her company in the Federal Court of Australia in connection with allegations of misleading & deceptive conduct under the Australian Consumer Law.
Royal Commission
Representing a significant party in the 2000 Metropolitan Ambulance Service Royal Commission & 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.
Freezing & Search Order over Crypto-currency
Being the first barrister in Australia to obtain freezing and search orders over cryptocurrency assets.
Jury
Securing an acquittal for a client charged with insurance fraud following a lengthy jury trial.
Deception Charges
Successfully defending a corporation and its directors in relation to deception charges laid by the Major Fraud & Extortion Squad
Freezing Order
Judgment in Supreme Court claim for transport ticketing company in $3M fraud claim against former CFO and Director. Obtained Freezing Order over the assets of the defendant and his wife and Search Order over the defendant’s residence.
Freezing Order
Obtained freezing order against assets of person engaged in online dating fraud – whose identity was initially unknown but discovered following a successful investigation.
Despite being involved in many successful cases, Andrew observed on many occasions clients affected by fraud or misconduct often received poor outcomes, prejudiced by inexperienced legal advice, inefficiencies and unnecessary costs.
Just being a general commercial litigator or a good criminal lawyer wasn’t enough because fraud and misconduct cases are too specialised. Often a client would first seek the assistance of a law firm, the law firm would then seek the assistance of external parties such as fraud investigators, IT specialists, and forensic accountants and then, finally, often far too late, the law firm would brief a barrister to appear at the hearing. This clumsy old fashioned arrangement produced poor outcomes, cost duplication and inefficiencies.
Andrew also discovered far too often victims of fraud and financial crime were frustrated and received very disappointing results when they relied on police to get their money back. Most people simply don’t know that it’s not the job of police to recover stolen money and they lack sufficient training and resources.
Surely there was a better way.
Then in 2019 Andrew conceived the idea of a highly specialised integrated and multi-disciplinary practice, where organisations and individuals who are victims of fraud or who are accused of fraud could receive the benefit of expert legal advice and direct access to all the necessary disciplines needed to provide the very best outcomes possible. One service, but a multi-disciplinary team with all the elements necessary to produce exceptional service, and great results. Quickly. Cost effectively. From that moment the idea behind Duxton Hill was born.
Our Team
Andrew Tragardh Recognised in Best Lawyers 2022 for Best Lawyers in Australia
Duxton Hill Founder and Director Andrew Tragardh has been recognised in the Best Lawyers 2022 Best Lawyers in Australia for Criminal Defence. Andrew is a highly regarded Fraud Lawyer defending persons and organisations suspected or charged with corporate fraud,...
Tracing – The Fraudster’s Enemy
Any good fraudster knows they must ensure the proceeds of their deception are not easily identified. An ill-informed investigator typically gives-up after asset searches on the wrongdoer produces a negative result. A good fraud investigator, however, will know the...
Andrew Tragardh features in Acuity Magazine
Covid-19 Spike in Cyber Threats Cyber scams are not new. Many businesses have been putting in strong security measures to keep their company safe for years. Those who don’t have strong internal controls and competent accounting policies are most at risk of cyber...