Corrs Chambers Westgarth > Brisbane, Australia > Firm Profile

Corrs Chambers Westgarth > The Legal 500 Rankings

Australia > Competition and trade Tier 1

The team at Corrs Chambers Westgarth counts merger control, behavioural investigations, antitrust litigation and cartel investigations among its core strengths. The group is notably able to leverage a distinct level of expertise in big tech and class action matters, and is likewise knowledgeable of healthcare, pharmaceutical, financial services, payments and telecoms-related matters. Mark McCowan enjoys a track record in overseeing cross-border mandates, serving as practice co-head alongside Andrew Korbel, a trade investigation specialist. Richard Flitcroft is also among the key names, boasting over 25 years of representation before the ACCC and other regulators.

Australia > Data protection Tier 1

The team at Corrs Chambers Westgarth is noted for its ‘excellent, deep and holistic subject matter expertise’, acting on a range of data and cyber matters for both public and private sector clients. Team head James North in Sydney has particular expertise advising on the data aspects of cross-border M&A transactions alongside a wider information security practice. Also in Sydney, Eugenia Kolivos ‘is an expert in this field‘, advising on privacy reforms, privacy policies and data protection in addition to cross-jurisdictional data protection and overseas data disclosure. Melbourne-based Philip Catania is praised as an 'absolute expert' and has a strong track record on large data breaches, both domestic and international, and bolsters the team’s international expertise providing advice for clients in regards to GDPR compliance. Arvind Dixit in Melbourne focuses on information technology work.

Australia > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s arbitration team draws on the wider firm’s multi-sector expertise to offer integrated support, with a focus on cases involving natural resources, energy and infrastructure projects. The large team spans Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and collaborates with advocates internationally. Nastasja Suhadolnik, a specialist in construction, renewable energy and natural resources who is dual qualified in New York and Australia, leads the team from Melbourne. Joshua Paffey in Brisbane has experience practicing in London and particular strength handling disputes in the oil, gas and natural resources sectors. The team has notable in-house advocacy and forensic capability, with Melbourne-based silk Charles Scerri KC is a notable member of the team.

Australia > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 1

Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s commercial litigation team is a ‘well-oiled machine‘. Led by ‘standout litigator’ Mark Wilks in Sydney, it acts for a range of banks, energy and resources companies and government entities, and emphasises its lawyers' trial advocacy strength. Wilks’ practice focuses on financial services and resources disputes, especially those which are of particularly high value. Also in Sydney, Simon Johnson and senior associate Frieda Chan form a ‘dream team‘ for commercial disputes, with notable strength for both in the technology space, while James Whittaker is adept at corporate and white-collar crime work; the former is also an area of expertise for David Anthony.  Perth’s Kirsty Sutherland is noted for her capability in large-scale disputes in the energy and natural resources sector, acting for both Australian and global mining and energy companies.

Australia > Infrastructure projects and construction Tier 1

Boasting ‘excellent depth of team and industry knowledge‘, Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s sizeable bi-coastal practice made great strides in expanding its front-end project capabilities with the high-profile lateral hires of A&O Shearman‘s projects co-head Adam Stapledon and project finance partners James Abbott and Simon Huxley (all of whom joined the Sydney office in late 2022). ‘Exceptional problem solver‘ Chris Ryder (in Perth) and ‘technically brilliant‘ practice co-head Andrew Stephenson (in Melbourne) are the standout construction lawyers, while Joseph Barbaro is another key Melbourne contact for project delivery and outsourcing. Litigators Carla Mills and practice co-head Matthew Muir are also highly recommended in Sydney and Brisbane, respectively. In Victoria, senior partner John Walter and David Warren act for governments, sponsors, contractors and financiers on road and rail PPPs, rolling stock procurement and social infrastructure projects.

Australia > Intellectual property Tier 1

With practitioners sitting in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s broad practice encompasses licensing work, patent litigation, and trade mark filings and prosecutions. Eugenia Kolivos oversees the group and is experienced in intellectual property data protection and compliance, franchising, and outsourcing work. Stephen Stern in Melbourne leverages over four decades of experience to assist clients with anti-counterfeiting work, trade mark litigation and brand protection. Odette Gourley’s areas of expertise include trade mark clearance, management, and registration, while David Fixler in Melbourne routinely acts in revocation proceedings before the Federal Court. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Sydney, unless stated otherwise.

Australia > IT and telecoms Tier 1

Working with leading multinational tech companies, Corrs Chambers Westgarth is a go-to advisor for those seeking advice on digital transformation, tech transactions, data protection and data security issues. With over 25 years of experience working in the TMT space, James North leads the practice from the Sydney office, where he often collaborates with James Wallace, who works on tech investments, fintech products and tech platforms. Philip Catania from the Melbourne office has a background in law and computer science, making him a first point of contact for advice on artificial intelligence.

Australia > Labour and employment Tier 1

With key practitioners based across Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane, Corrs Chambers Westgarth is able to provide a broad service to its clients – which are often blue-chips, multinational corporations, financial institutions and government bodies – covering contentious and non-contentious matters. The Melbourne office is home to practice head John Tuck, who advises on investigations and infrastructure projects, and revered ‘expert’ Paul Burns, who is backed by 30 years working in employment law. Graeme Watson also practices from Melbourne, advising on industrial relations issues, while Jack de Flamingh, in the Sydney office, is sought after for advice on strategy development and dispute resolution. In Perth, Anthony Longland is a key point of contact for those looking for representation in courts and tribunals.

Australia > Natural resources (transactions and regulatory) Tier 1

Tracey Greenaway, who joined the firm in Perth in June 2022 from Allens, leads the team at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Greenaway bolsters the group’s oil and gas sector knowledge and strength advising international and domestic oil and gas majors on M&A matters. Other additions to the team include Adam Stapledon, James Abbott and Simon Huxley from A&O Shearman in July 2022. Anthony Lepere is a key name to note in corporate and project development work, with an emphasis on complex, cross-border M&A. The group often works on high-value transactions such as a major iron ore joint ventures, as well as cross-border transactions, regularly collaborating with the firm's Papua New Guinea office.

Australia > Project finance Tier 1

Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s growing project finance practice, which spans Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, ‘has deep capability across levels and continues to provide access to partners and senior associates as required.’ One key name is Clare Corke in Brisbane, who is described by one client as ‘a very astute lawyer who delivers a good legal service.’ Adam Stapledon, who joined the group from A&O Shearman in July 2022, heads up the team, along with James Abbott, who has experience on a wide range of project financings across the infrastructure, energy and resources sectors, including high-value debt financing. Other key elements of the practice are bankable structures mandates and diversified funding sources. Paul Brickley is a key name for government infrastructure projects. Special counsel Julie Myers, also in Brisbane, has a strong grasp of matters relating to bilateral and syndicated facilities.

Australia > Real estate Tier 1

A key contact for tenants and landlords for leasing transactions, Corrs Chambers Westgarth is at the forefront of social and affordable housing, as well as purpose-built accommodation matters. With activity in the build-to-rent and childcare sectors, Paul Carrick oversees the group and is skilled in acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures. Peter Calov and Nathaniel Popelianski, who is based in Melbourne, are entrusted by corporate clients on precinct redevelopments, while Natalie Bryant is proficient in urban renewals. Penelope McCawley is noted for her expertise in commercial office and anchor tenant retail leasing, fund through sales as well as portfolio sales and purchases. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Sydney, unless stated otherwise.

Australia > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Based across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, the practice at Corrs Chambers Westgarth has an ‘excellent balance of the commercial and technical’ in its approach to restructuring and insolvency matters. The team has particular expertise in advising hedge funds and private equity firms as creditors in bankruptcy situations. Highly regarded Sydney-based practice head Cameron Cheetham is well versed in structuring and implementing distressed financing transactions in the mining, infrastructure, energy, real estate and financial services sectors. Also based in Sydney, Michael Catchpoole specialises in advising on workouts and distressed and special securities investing strategies.

Australia > Banking and finance Tier 2

Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s client roster includes a balanced range of corporates, foreign banks and alternative credit providers. It is also often instructed as Australian counsel by leading UK and US law firms in cross-border financings. Adam Stapledon and senior partner John Mosley have significant expertise in acquisition, project and corporate financing transactions across the infrastructure, renewables, energy and resources sectors. Stewart Robertson leads on domestic term loan B, unitranche, first/second lien loans, and syndicated and bilateral finance. Megan Russell is recognised for her work in NDIS and social and affordable housing financing.

Australia > Capital markets

The national capital markets practice at Corrs Chambers Westgarth acts out of offices in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (where the team also provides services to Papua New Guinea-based clients). Co-leading the equity capital markets team are Sandy Mak, who is also head of corporate, and Shabarika Ajitkumar in Sydney, and Oliver Carrick in Perth. The Perth office has particular expertise in acting for issuers and underwriters. Melbourne-based Brad Robinson leads both the debt capital markets and securitisation teams. The debt capital markets team advises a range of clients, including investors, sponsors, arrangers and trustees, while securitisation work includes prime and non-conforming residential mortgages, reverse mortgage and equity release products and insurance funding loans. Jo Dodd joined the Sydney office from King & Wood Mallesons in February 2024.

Australia > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Fielding over 70 specialists across four national offices, the group at Corrs Chambers Westgarth handles public and private M&A, private equity and corporate governance on both a national and global level. The team attracts mandates from across the real estate, agribusiness, TMT and financial services sectors, and – with the additions of Tracey Greenaway and Anthony Lepere – has seen a further increase in activity in the energy and natural resources space. Sandy Mak heads the firm’s corporate and private equity team, assisting a wide range of local and international clients with foreign investments, equity raisings, buy-backs and restructurings. Also practising from the Sydney office are M&A and PE experts Riccardo Casali and Glen Sauer, who handle cross-border transactions, namely acquisitions, restructurings and divestments.

Australia > Dispute resolution: class actions Tier 2

Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s class actions practice has notable strength in data and technology claims, with experience working for high-profile clients, which extends to its expertise in class actions arising from cyber security incidents. Team head Chris Pagent, in Sydney, has experience in such matters, alongside a range of shareholder, product liability and employment claims. Also in Sydney is Brad Woodhouse, who has notable strength in cases involving employee underpayments and natural disasters. Daniel Marquet is a key team member in Melbourne, and Katrina Sleiman and senior associate Thomas Scott in Sydney are also recommended.

Australia > Energy (transactions and regulatory) Tier 2

Praised by clients for their 'superior industry knowledge and experience', Corrs Chambers Westgarth maintains a strong reputation for advising on major LNG projects, in addition to contractual and transportation related matters. Practice head Tracey Greenaway has vast expertise in advising on unincorporated joint ventures, divestments and commodity sale and purchase agreements. Utilities specialist Anthony Arrow advises on numerous renewable energy transactions and projects. Michael MacGinley is known for his regulatory expertise in electricity, while Peter Jarosek exhibits deep knowledge of oil and gas mandates.  

Australia > Environment and planning Tier 2

Corrs Chambers Westgarth is well-regarded for advising on social infrastructure projects in the hospital, health, and social and affordable housing spaces. Practice head Louise Camenzuli has expansive knowledge of government light, rail, road and telecoms projects. Christine Covington acts for numerous energy and resources, and industrial clients in climate change and sustainability matters. Brisbane-based Anna White’s caseload encompasses contamination response and management issues, and environmental assessments. Max Newman regularly appears before the Land and Environment Court of NSW in appeals and judicial reviews. All mentioned individuals are located in Sydney, unless stated otherwise.

Australia > Fintech and financial services regulatory Tier 2

From front-end advisory and transactional matters to investigations, enforcement and remediation work, Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s fintech and financial services regulatory practice is a popular address for major brands, disruptive fintechs and financial institutions. Digital transformation projects, digital asset related mandates and litigation funding are additional areas of strength for the ‘industry experts’ at the firm. James North, Robert Clarke and Mark Wilks form a leadership triumvirate, with North providing expertise in technology transactions for financial services. Described as ‘at the top of his field’, Fadi Khoury has longstanding experience in advising on the development of financial services regulatory products in the US. Felicity Healy is a key port of call for clients facing regulatory investigations. Superannuation and pensions regulations are some of Michael Chaaya’s sweet spots, while Steven Rice is well placed to advise on BNPL products. Mizu Arda is highlighted for her payments regulatory expertise.

Australia > Labour and employment: workplace health and safety (WHS) Tier 2

With offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane, Corrs Chambers Westgarth has a strong presence across the country. The team’s strengths lie in settling contentious issues and providing advice to clients across a number of key industry sectors, including financial services, retail, government, infrastructure and energy. Practice head John Tuck is known by national businesses, corporate clients and federal governments for his expert handling of investigations, projects and employment strategies. Marie Costa assists with initial advisory work and preventative training, as well as investigatory work and prosecutions. The team has recently welcomed new hires Kirsty Faichen and Giacomo Giorgi from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.

Australia > Tax Tier 2

The tax practice at Corrs Chambers Westgarth is regularly instructed on transactional work, including inbound and outbound cross-border investment, M&A projects and private equity investment. The practice has expertise in a range of sectors, including energy and natural resources, banking and finance, real estate and technology. Melbourne-based partner Rhys Jewell is experienced in global M&A transactions, specifically inbound investment into Australia by private equity firms and funds. Also based in Melbourne, the team is supported by indirect tax expert Jennee Chan. Based in Sydney, Mark Payne is a key name for premium domestic and inbound investments, and Simon Mifsud is well versed in employee incentive options. Michael Carroll is also a key member of the Sydney practice.

Australia > White-collar crime Tier 2

Highly regarded for its experience in prominent public inquiries, Corrs Chambers Westgarth is active on an array of corporate enforcement, insider trading, anti-bribery, corruption and anti-money laundering mandates. The practice also handles numerous internal investigations involving ESG, whistleblowing and misconduct. The practice is headed from Melbourne by Abigail Gill, an expert within the mining and financial services industries.

Australia > Insurance Tier 3

Corrs Chambers Westgarth specialises in policyholder work in the projects and construction space, advising on coverage disputes and the insurance aspects of infrastructure-focused transactions; this work is led by Catherine Oldenburg. Patrick O’Grady acts for insurers and reinsurers which provide surety bond facilities to Australian corporates and handles issues arising from those facilities. Practice head Daniel Marquet is another top litigator.

Australia > Media and entertainment Tier 3

The team at Corrs Chambers Westgarth advises on a spread of high-value corporate transactions and regulatory matters within the TMT space. James North leads the team from the Sydney office, where he handles disputes, privacy issues and reform law mandates, particularly in the online streaming space. Also in Sydney, Adam Foreman acts for clients in the broadcasting and radio sectors. Jim Micallef is noted for being ‘exceptional’.

Papua New Guinea > Leading firms

Corrs Chambers Westgarth assists its clients on corporate, real estate, natural resources and commercial law matters in particular. Further, it has a strong projects practice and is experienced handling the scope of advisory and disputes work that can arise throughout the lifecycle of a project. Its clientele includes reputable domestic companies and global corporations, notable examples being the Bank of Papua New Guinea and Newcrest Mining. Practice head and commercial specialist Vaughan Mills has experience working on major natural resource and infrastructure projects, as well as on key finance and transactional mandates. Ryan Warokra is regularly instructed to advise on corporate and M&A, banking and finance, IT, and manufacturing-relating matters. At associate level, Lisa Kudada is noted for her commercial work.