About

Sharon Cook was first appointed to the role of chief legal and commercial counsel at Australian banking giant NAB in April 2017, having come from the position of managing partner, clients at King & Wood Mallesons, where she was also on the Australian leadership team and responsible for execution of the firm’s client and sector strategy. With more than 25 years’ experience as a lawyer, practicing mainly in the field of commercial litigation including in the banking and finance sectors, Cook is well placed to offer commercially-minded legal advice during an important time for the company.

NAB is currently undergoing scrutiny from the Royal Commission and is (as time of press) preparing a 50 page report that will identify any misconduct, and whether the bank has engaged in any conduct, practice or business activity that has fallen below community standards and expectations since the financial crisis. In her capacity of chief lawyer of the organisation, Cook is overseeing a whirlwind of activity by lawyers, media and bank executives in order to identify any potential wrongdoing, a process which will eventually lead to change, transformation and customer-centricity as the bank attempts to emerge in a strong position. Cook’s judgment and experience is being heavily relied upon to ensure positive outcomes for NAB, and having been specially selected to lead the bank through this extremely busy and challenging time will use her relationship building skills to enlist the support of colleagues and peers to do so.

Recognised as a trailblazer within the in-house community in Australia, Cook’s legal career started at the Sydney and London offices of King & Wood Mallesons, before joining Henry Davis York in 1997, becoming the first woman elected to its board in 2004 and was managing partner for six years until 2014, during which time she led a major transformation of the firm. In 2012, Cook was named as one of the Australian Financial Review’s inaugural 100 Women of Influence and is a member of Chief Executive Women, using her high profile position and talent to improve the business environment in Australia.