King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons advises major public and private sector clients, including government departments, major domestic and international project proponents, and native title holders, on the negotiation of native title, cultural heritage agreements, and broad strategic issues. The firm has a particularly strong record in handling native title strategy relating to major projects across oil and gas, minerals and mining, and notably the renewable energy space, advising on new agreements and questions of native title law relating to energy transition projects. Brisbane’s Scott Singleton leads the team, and is a long-time adviser to major clients such as Telstra and the Department of Defence on native title issues, while Perth’s Sally Audeyev is also a key member of the practice, working with proponents and title holders across Western Australia and South Australia on business-critical native title and heritage agreements, as well as advising and contributing to legal developments in the aftermath of the Jukaan incident. Promoted to partner in June 2023, Melbourne-based Emily Heffernan has extensive experience in the space, including previously advising on native title issues for the Victorian Government, and continues to play a key role in commissions and inquiries. In Brisbane, senior associate Amy Carseldine specialises in native title, cultural heritage, and land access issues across a range of industries, and is a key adviser to major clients. Nick Testro left the firm in November 2022 for a role in the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office.