Lawyers Weekly, July 1, 2011

THIS WEEK

GOING THIRSTY Foster’s cans Corrs

OPINION

SO HOT RIGHT NOW

Environment lawyers in demand

IN-DEPTH

LEGAL LEADERS

Linklaters raids top-tier

Campbell’s community minded career

BRAIN DRAIN

WOMAN FOR OTHERS

www.lawyersweekly.com.au

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GUESS WHO Meet the partners ...

It’s still mostly blokes

Friday 1 July 2011

Dolman In-house – Talk to us for the best in-house opportunities.

Sydney | Corporate

Sydney | Banking

Perth | Corporate/Resources

A rare opportunity exists for a dynamic Corporate Lawyer to move into a highly commercial role within this global business. You will work with the wider business and external stakeholders in drafting transactional documentation and provide advice around transactional risks and exposures.

M&A, Private Equity or Banking & Finance experience gained at a major law firm is essential.

Ref: SYD/4319/DS

One of Australia’s leading financial service providers is looking for a customer service focused banking lawyer for its expanding in-house team. You will work within a collegiate environment advising on a full spectrum of financial services matters. 5 years retail banking, financial services or wealth management experience gained at a top firm or recognised industry player is essential.

Ref: SYD/4314/OH

Large, listed resources company has a new role for a dynamic Corporate Lawyer to join their expanding team.

Strong Corporate Law experience from a top-tier firm required, preferably acting for major Resources clients on high level transactional and advisory matters. Additional in-house or secondment experience will also be strongly considered. Great opportunity to further your career in this high-performing sector! Ref: PER/4247/DS

Sydney | Construction

Perth | Junior Counsel

This major construction corporation is seeking one experienced front end and one experienced back end construction lawyer for two roles within its expanding team.

The successful candidates will have 5 or more years front and/or back end construction experience gained at a top firm or recognized industry player. This is a chance to push your career to the next level. Ref: SYD/4260/OH and SYD/4295/OH.

Leading international mining business with global operations is looking to expand their team with an additional junior lawyer. Broad range of work available including corporate/commercial matters, employment and disputes.

Top-tier experience is required in one or more of these areas. Join a close knit, collegiate team with scope to develop your career in Australia and overseas.

Ref: PER/4355/DS

Sydney | Senior TMT Lawyer

Sydney | M&A

4 years – Senior Associate

2 – 5 years

This premier national firm has a new opportunity for an ambitious insurance litigator to work on a broad spectrum of insurance matters. Ideally you will have previous experience working on a range of contentious insurance matters and policy advices, a solid litigation background will also be considered. Excellent academic results are essential together with enthusiasm and energy.

Great career opportunity. Ref: MEL/4337/GG

This international firm are currently seeking and experienced Technology and Communications lawyer. You will work on major IT outsourcing, software development, systems acquisition and integration, licensing, distribution, agency and teaming agreements or regulatory advice, network/ IT infrastructure projects, product development and customer terms as well as telecommunications-related M&A matters.

Ref: SYD/4344/RL

Our client’s enviable corporate group includes a capital markets practice comprised of some of the most reputable partners in the Australia. The group regularly advises on high profile capital raisings, IPOs and strategic placements in Australia and internationally. The M&A team works on both public and private transactions advising both corporate clients and investment banks. A career moulding move for a motivated lawyer. Ref: SYD/4244/OH

Brisbane | IP/IT

Sydney | Property

Sydney | PPS

3 years+

Sydney | IT 4 years +

Leading international technology vendor has a requirement for a dynamic and commercial IT lawyer with an excellent pedigree. High-level work will involve drafting & negotiation of complex agreements relating to outsourcing, systems integration and consulting transactions as well as provision of strategic legal advice to senior management. Major law firm and/or blue-chip technology company background required. Great package and international career prospects!

Ref: SYD/4183/DS

5 years +

5 – 10 years

5 years +

2 – 4 years

Private Practice Melbourne | Litigation 3 years +

3 – 5 years

Senior Associate

Recent growth has lead to a new opportunity to join this leading national firm. To be successful you will be enthusiastic, technically minded and highly client focussed.

Previous experience working on contentious and non contentious Intellectual Property and Franchising matters, with a first class working knowledge of the relevant legislation and a solid background reviewing and drafting IP and Technology agreements is a must. Ref: BRI/4332/GG

Premier national firm has a new opportunity for an ambitious and talented commercial property lawyer. If successful will work with a top-tier partner on challenging and high calibre work who will guide and support you to reach your ultimate career goals. You will work on a range of property matters including property development, acquisitions and disposals, major commercial leases and major title issues. Great career opportunity. Ref: SYD/4339/GG

Sydney | Construction

Sydney | Funds

1 – 3 years

Our client is a large well respected national mid-tier firm with an exciting opportunity for a construction lawyer. Working across three partners you will gain exposure to front and back end work for a diverse range of clients including property development and construction companies. Front end work will include major building, engineering and infrastructure projects and back will involve litigation in the superior courts and other forms of dispute resolution, such as mediation and expert determination. Ref: SYD/4343/RL

Senior Associate

Excellent opportunity to work with highly regarded partners in the areas of corporate, funds and financial services.

You will be involved in corporate transactions, product structuring, ASX listings, fund raisings, the investment and divestment process and establishing offshore products.

You will be acting for blue chip clients including major household names in the financial services industry. Excellent career prospects and competitive remuneration package on offer. Ref: SYD/4213/RL

2 – 4 years A new role for a Personal Properties Securities lawyer exists in our client’s expanding banking & finance team. You must have 2+ years experience advising on the Personal Properties Securities Act working for either a New Zealand or Canadian law firm, or through advising at a leading Australian firm. Strong academics and good technical skills are essential. Stimulating work advising blue chip clients.

Ref: SYD/4354/OH

Sydney | Construction 3 – 5 years / Senior Associate This top tier firm is seeking one experienced front end and one experienced back end construction lawyer for two roles within its expanding team. The successful candidates will have 3 or more years front and/or back end construction experience gained at a top firm or recognized industry player. This is a chance to advise on industry leading projects and to push your career to the next level.

Ref: SYD/4350/OH and SYD/4346/OH.

International Hong Kong | Project

Hong Kong | Corporate Finance

London | Banking & Finance

No Mandarin required. This is an excellent opportunity for a junior lawyer interested in an exciting and challenging role overseas with a reputable international firm. On offer is cutting edge work in multiple jurisdictions across the region.

An opportunity such as this has become rare for nonMandarin speakers. If you have a background in project work then you should give serious consideration to this unique opportunity. Ref: HK/4298/RL

International law firm with a leading Asia Pacific practice is searching for a Commonwealth qualified finance lawyer to advise on financings involving mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, regulatory and compliance financing and debt restructuring transactions. Your experience should be gained from a top tier or respected mid tier law firm.

Chinese speaking ability will be highly regarded but is not necessary for this role. Ref: HK/4233/RL

We are looking for a lawyer experienced in one or more areas such as acquisition, leveraged, project finance or general lending secured from a quality top or similar mid tier law firm to join a London based international firm. In addition to fluency at handling a range of financing transactions a commercial outlook and the ability to maintain and develop client relationships are essential. Ref: LON/4272/RL

2 – 4 years

4 years +

For a full list of active roles that Dolman is working on throughout the worldwide visit www.dolman.com.au For further information please contact one of our consultants for a confidential discussion: Ralph Laughton, Daniel Stirling, Olivia Harvey and Gail Greener.

Sydney (02) 9231 3022 Melbourne (03) 8637 7317 or email dolman@dolman.com.au

4 - 6 years

Contents

“I wanted to make a difference and law is the structure of society. Grappling with the architecture of society is where you get a chance to build things in different ways” Find out what inspires Helen Campbell – the CEO of Women’s Legal Service NSW and the recent recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia – Page 16

Regulars

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THIS WEEK: A round-up of the latest legal news IN-DEPTH: The fourth anniversary of the Intervention coincided with the release of a damning report into the rates of incarceration for Indigenous youth. Justin Whealing reports on the latest recommendations to improve Indigenous access to justice

Features

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LEGAL LEADERS: The CEO of the Women’s Legal Service NSW, Helen Campbell OAM, tells Claire Chaffey why leading a community legal centre requires passion, performance and planning.

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IN-DEPTH: The recent news that Linklaters has pocketed 21 associates from Australia and New Zealand proves that Australian firms must work even harder to hang on to their up-and-coming talent. Briana Everett reports OPINION: Like the planet, debate on a carbon tax is warming up. Environment lawyer Fergus Green explains why views that the scheme will either save the planet or destroy business is only adding to the hot air CAREER COUNSEL: For those looking to move on from their current firm in 2011, new research has revealed some of the top interview blunders to avoid

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COVER STORY: Lawyers Weekly provides a wrap-up of Australia’s partnership announcements for 2011/2012

FOLKLAW: The lighter side of the law

L AW Y E R S W E E K LY 1 J U LY 2 0 11

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Editor’sNote

Editor, Justin Whealing

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THIS TIME of year is one of celebration, or commiseration, for many lawyers.

For promoted partners it is a time to pop the champagne bottles, with all those years of hard work paying off in the guise of a new title, higher charge-out rates and a chance to have a say in the strategy of how your firm is being run.

For senior associates looked over, this is the time to take the microscope to your career, and to take heart.

The globalisation of the Australian legal marketplace has made competition for talent intense. A recent Australian Institute of Management (AIM) survey of large companies, including five large law firms, showed that employees are now more emboldened to walk if they feel they are not being adequately rewarded and recognised.

According to the AIM, voluntary turnover has increased from 10.3 per cent to 12.6 per cent in the past 12 months. “For the past few years, it has really been an employer’s market but that is changing” said AIM NSW and ACT chief executive David Wakely.

“Many staff that stayed put during the downturn are now on the hunt for new opportunities and bigger pay packets.”

Disgruntled lawyers now have many options if they are seeking greener pastures.

If they wish to remain in private practice, then according to Taylor Root manager Matt Harris (see Briana Everett’s cover story on page 18), partnership at another firm remains a possibility.

“Senior associates who haven’t made partner this year should take a look at what else is out there and what other firms promise,” he said. “There are no guarantees but there are certainly some firms out there that are much more entrepreneurial than others when it comes to their progression capabilities.”

An increasing number of lawyers are also moving to in-house roles. It is the fastest growing sector within the legal fraternity, comprising over 20 per cent of the profession. It entices senior and junior lawyers alike with the prospect of more meaningful work, less admin and a chance to gain commercial skills that comes with rubbing shoulders with non-lawyers.

Of course, many other professions, such as journalism, are filled with ex-lawyers, with a law degree and practical legal experience highly regarded in many other sectors.

Lawyers Weekly wishes all the newly promoted lawyers well in their new roles.

TOP 10 STORIES ONLINE THIS WEEK

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Linklaters raids Aussie firms Corrs not drinking from Foster’s cup It’s iPad or bust Juror’s ‘lols’ land her in jail Females dominate in Minters’ promotions Lander & Rogers grows partnership by 18% Freehills junior takes out competition Gadens boosts partnership by 11 Partner leaves Freehills for Corrs Holding Redlich takes partner from Russell Kennedy

NEXT WEEK

Next week Lawyers Weekly goes behind the scenes to provide an insider’s perspective on what it is like to work on the big M&A and corporate deals.

EDITORIAL BOARD Lawyers Weekly is delighted to have the following industry leaders on its editorial board Andrew Grech Managing director, Slater & Gordon

Nick Abrahams Partner and Sydney chairman, Norton Rose

Will Irving Group general counsel, Telstra Corporation

Helen McKenzie Deputy managing partner, Blake Dawson

Sharon Cook Managing partner, Henry Davis York

Joe Catanzariti Partner, Clayton Utz

David Cowling Partner, Clayton Utz

Robert Milliner Chief executive partner, Mallesons Stephen Jaques

Ewen Crouch Chairman of partners, Allens Arthur Robinson

Megan Pitt Director, Australian Government Solicitor

Sue Gilchrist Partner and practice leader (intellectual property group), Freehills

Lucinda Smith Partner, Thomsons Lawyers

ABOUT US Editor: Justin Whealing Deputy Editor: Claire Chaffey Senior Journalist: Briana Everett Journalist: Stephanie Quine Designer: Ken McClaren Design Manager: Anthony Vandenberg Senior Online Producer: Rebecca Whalen Group Production Manager: Kirsten Wissel Group Sales Manager Adrian Fellowes SUBSCRIBE TODAY Lawyers Weekly is published weekly and is available by subscription. Please email subscriptions@lawyersweekly.com.au All subscription payments should be sent to: Locked Bag 2333, Chatswood D/C, Chatswood NSW 2067 ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: Adrian Fellowes sales@lawyersweekly.com.au (02) 9422 2134 (mob) 0407 489 060 Vic, SA, WA: Stephen Richards (02) 9422 2891 (mob) 0429 305 836 EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES: Justin Whealing justin.whealing@lexisnexis.com.au (02) 9422 2832 All mail for the editorial department should be sent to: Lawyers Weekly, Level 1 Tower 2, 475 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

CAB MEMBER SINCE SEPTEMBER 2000 Copyright is reserved throughout. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher.

Contributions are invited, but copies of all work should be kept, as Lawyers Weekly can accept no responsibility for loss. Lawyers Weekly and LexisNexis are divisions of Reed International Books Australia Pty Limited, ACN 001 002 357 Level 1 Tower 2, 475 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067 tel (02) 9422 2203 fax (02) 9422 2946 ISSN 1833-5209 Important Privacy Notice: You have both a right of access to the personal information we hold about you and to ask us to correct if it is inaccurate or out of date. Please direct any queries to: The Privacy Officer, LexisNexis Australia or email privacy@lexisnexis.com.au. © 2010 Reed International Books Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 70 001 002 357) trading as LexisNexis. LexisNexis and the Knowledge Burst logo are registered trademarks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., and used under licence.

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thisweek

New laws to fight cybercrime The Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 was introduced into Federal Parliament last week. The Bill extends the scope of existing Commonwealth computer offences and will, according to AttorneyGeneral Robert McClelland, enable Australia to accede to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime - the only binding international treaty on cybercrime.

In late March it was reported that at least 10 parliamentary computers, including those of prime minister Julia Gillard and foreign minister Kevin Rudd, had been hacked. In April, Sony’s PlayStation network shut down after hackers broke into it.

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Corrs not drinking from Foster’s cup Foster’s has shunned its long-term legal adviser Corrs Chambers Westgarth on what could be one of the biggest M&a deals of the year. on 21 June, Foster’s announced it had knocked back a proposed $9.5 billion takeover from the British based saBMiller group. Foster’s has been advised by allens arthur robinson in negotiations with saB Miller, at the expense of its usual external legal adviser, Corrs. sydney based partner ewen Crouch and Melbourne based capital markets group co-head robert Pick are leading the allens team. senior lawyers with links to Corrs have told Lawyers Weekly that the firm would be extremely concerned that a key client such as Foster’s would use a rival firm for a proposed transaction of this magnitude. the firm and Corrs corporate partner Braddon Jolley, who acted for Foster’s on the demerger of its wine and beer business, declined to comment when contacted by Lawyers Weekly.

Foster’s is one of Corrs’ biggest and longest standing clients, going back as far as when the company first listed in the early 1980’s and including the period when the controversial John elliott was its head. Most recently, Corrs acted for the brewing giant on the demerger of its wine and beer business, with the firm providing extensive advice on this project for over one year and netting over $10 million in fees. allen & overy is acting for saBMiller, beating the likes of Baker & McKenzie, which has also regularly acted for that company in the past.

M&a partners aaron Kenavan and Michael Parshall, anti-trust partner Dave Poddar and

banking partner adam stapledon are leading the firm’s team. after Foster’s rejected saBMiller’s $4.90 a share takeover offer, most analysts predicted that it would have to increase its offer to somewhere closer to $5.50 a share. Foster’s share price surged after the announcement it had rejected the offer, reaching over $5.20 on 22 June, a marked increase on the closing share price of $4.53 on 20 June. saBMiller, which was founded in 1895 in south africa, has brands including Castle Lager, Peroni, Miller Lite and Grolsch in its portfolio. the company has indicated that it remains interested in purchasing Foster’s.

R E W IND R E W IND

Spigelman to lead panel on Constitution change Former chief justice of NSW, James Spigelman, will lead an expert panel on recognising local government in the Australian Constitution. Established by the Gillard Government, the panel will consult local governments, stakeholder groups and the Australian community to ascertain the level of support for a constitutional change to recognise local government and options for that recognition. Local government currently has no federal constitutional status as it was not incorporated in the Constitution.

The Web

Australia rejects same-sex marriage Australian Human Rights Commission president Catherine Branson QC said the Commission was disappointed in the Government’s rejection of certain recommendations made in the Universal Periodic Review process at the UNHRC earlier this month. The Government rejected the introduction of a Human Rights Act, same-sex marriage recognition, compensation for stolen generations and improvements to Australia’s system of mandatory and indefinite immigration detention.

On 27 June international tobacco company Philip Morris, represented by Allens Arthur Robinson, launched its legal action against the Gillard Government’s proposed plain packaging legislation for cigarettes. Corrs Chambers Westgarth is acting for British American Tobacco Australia in the action.

The Federal Government announced it would provide compensation to the workers affected by the suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia, comprising an assistance package worth $3 million. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the compensation payments would be backdated to 7 June.

In response to claims it lacks transparency, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission plans to warn companies, boards and their advisers when it intends to take enforcement action, according to The Australian Financial Review.

A mining company controlled by the Chinese Government has spent $213 million to purchase 43 farms so it can search for coal outside the township of Gunnedah in New South Wales, reported The Australian. According to a NSW title search, Shenhua Watermark Coal carried out a two-year spending spree in 2009 and 2010.

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thisweek

Movers & Shakers

D E A L O F T HE W E E K

Global and top-tier firms close Oaks deal Deal name: Minor International Public Company Limited’s takeover offer for Oaks Hotel & Resorts Limited Key players: Baker & McKenzie, Mallesons Stephen Jaques & Blake Dawson

BAKER & MCKENZIE acted for Minor International Public Company Limited with respect to its successful off-market takeover offer for Oaks Hotel & Resorts Limited, advised by Mallesons Stephen Jaques.

Minor International has acquired a relevant interest in more than 90 per cent of Oaks and has announced that it is proceeding to compulsorily acquire the remaining shares. Minor International is a global company based in Thailand focused on hotels, restaurants and food services.

The acquisition has allowed Minor International to further expand its operations in Australia. Under the takeover offer, Oaks shareholders were offered 52 cents for each Oaks share. The offer valued Oaks at approximately $90 million.

The transaction involved the acquisition by Minor International of a controlling 34.4 per cent stake from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as receivers

and managers under a tender offer process that was overseen by ASIC. The Baker & McKenzie team was led by partner Richard Lustig and senior associate Rick Troiano, with assistance from partners John Mollard and Graeme Dickson.

“This was only the second time that the tender offer process has been successfully used since the ASIC policy was first published in 1995,” said Lustig. “This was the first time during a tender offer process that a takeover offer was running simultaneously … It will be interesting to see whether this structure becomes more readily used, following its successful use in this takeover offer.”

Deloitte Corporate Finance and ANZ Corporate Advisory acted as corporate advisers to Minor International. Blake Dawson acted as legal advisers to PwC. Austock Corporate Finance acted as corporate advisers to Oaks.

DE AL MAKERS

Peter Trevaskis

Justin Pelly

Toby Norgate

Firm

Norton Rose (Stockland), Mallesons Stephen Jacques and Freehills (Brookfield).

Freehills

Mills Oakley (Marstel founders), Minter Ellison (Marstel), Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Stolt)

Deal name

Stockland on asset swap with Brookfield

Lend Lease on unsecured syndicated loan facility

Acquisition of majority interest in Marstel Holdings Pty Ltd by Stolt-Nielsen Limited

Area

Property

Banking and Finance

M&A

Value

$401 million

$975 million

Not disclosed

Key players

Norton Rose partner Peter Trevaskis

Senior partner Justin Pelly

Mills Oakley’s Toby Norgate

Carter Newell appoints two associates Sarah Hutchinson (pictured) and Karen Brown were appointed as associates in Carter Newell’s litigation and dispute resolution team and commercial property team, respectively.

Hutchinson joins Carter Newell from DibbsBarker while Brown joins the firm from HopgoodGanim.

Holding Redlich takes partner from Russell Kennedy Immigration lawyer Maria Jockel has left Russell Kennedy to join Holding Redlich’s national immigration practice.

Joining the firm’s Melbourne office as a partner, Jockel is a specialist immigration lawyer advising and representing corporations bringing skilled personnel to Australia.

Gadens appoints ex-Freshfields associate Paula Nassif has joined Gadens Lawyers as a senior associate having returned to Sydney after eight years in London.

A corporate and finance lawyer, Nassif previously worked at Chadbourne & Parke as well as Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer while overseas.

Adelaide firm adds partner Lawson Smith Lawyers has promoted consultant Candida D’Arcy to the firm’s partnership and recruited lawyer Hannah Cohley from EMA Legal.

D’Arcy is a legal officer in the Australian Defence Force Specialist Reserve and is a former partner of Minter Ellison in Adelaide.

She specialises in professional indemnity insurance and defamation law.

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thisweek NSW DPP less controversial than predecessor The newly announced NSW Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is expected to be less outspoken than Nicholas Cowdery QC. Last week NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith appointed Lloyd Babb SC as the state’s next DPP. Babb, the current Crown Advocate, was a former colleague of Smith before the rightwing Liberal Party powerbroker stepped down as the deputy DPP and entered politics in 2007.

“Mr Babb has proven himself to be a lawyer of the highest quality who is well versed with all aspects of criminal law,” said Smith. “I can also vouch for him personally, having worked with him when he was a solicitor, a crown prosecutor and in subsequent roles.”

Before commencing his current role as a Crown Advocate, Babb was the head of the Criminal Law Division of the Department of Attorney General and Justice.

He will begin his 10-year appointment on 18 July, replacing acting DPP Ian Temby QC, after the former DPP Nicholas Cowdery QC retired in March after 17 years in the role.

Cowdery was known for his often strident criticisms of the previous Labor administration and it was widely known that he and former NSW Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos, enjoyed a frosty relationship.

In choosing Babb, Smith consulted with a selection committee that included the former DPP and current chief judge of the District Court, Justice Reg Blanch, the Independent Commission Against Corruption Commissioner David Ipp, barrister Tim Game SC and Robyn Gray, the owner of Herne Gray and Associates.

ala slams kneejerk anti-bikie laws The AusTrAliAn lawyers Alliance (AlA) has welcomed the high Court’s rejection of the 2009 nsW anti-bikie legislation as “invalid”. speaking to Lawyers Weekly after last week’s (23 June) decision, AlA director Greg Barns said the ruling upheld the principle that courts cannot be used by the executive or parliament in a way that removes the fundamental human and legal rights of individuals.

“This is what happens when you get legislation that is passed in the heat of the moment, where the legislature does not listen to impartial and rational voices like nick Cowdery, the former DPP of nsW, and others who warned against the potential for abusive power,” said Barns.

The laws, introduced in 2009 by former nsW premier nathan rees just 12 days after the deadly bikie brawl in sydney Airport, gave the nsW supreme Court the power to outlaw bikie gangs and force members to avoid each other or face up to five years jail.

This is the second set of anti-bikie laws struck down by the high Court. The first were south

Australia’s non-association laws last year because they compel judges to give an order rather than make a decision based on evidence.

Based on the anti-terror laws, Barns said the legislation represented “the most fundamental breach of human rights this country has seen since the second World War”.

“The laws themselves were insidious because they could be used against any organisation that the government or police want to prescribe, such as environment organisations or trade union groups,” he said.

“You live in hope that the legislators will think about laws that infringe on individual rights much more seriously than they have done today, in a way that provides people fairness, equity, the right of appeal and the right to know what information is being used against them.” nsW Attorney-General Greg smith said he will now look at drafting legislation to address the high Court’s concerns and that the decision wouldn’t stand in the way of the Government’s crackdown on organised crime.

Barns is adamant that Australia already has a sufficient number of laws to deal with organised crime and said discussion should be directed to “why we continue to criminalise drugs and not treat them as a health issue”.

A recent report from an international commission on drug policy (which includes former heads of state and a former un secretaryGeneral) argues that the global war on drugs has failed.

The 24-page paper released last week argues that governments should end criminalisation of drug use, experiment with legal models that would undermine organised crime syndicates and offer health and treatment services for drug-users in need.

LCA targets high female attrition rates The Law Council of Australia (LCA) has developed a new strategy to investigate and address the high attrition rates of female lawyers in the legal profession and to increase their representation within senior ranks.

The LCA’s new Strategic Framework for the Recruitment and Retention of Women Lawyers aims to reduce the attrition rate through a range of initiatives, including a national attrition study and the development of a diversity policy.

“The Law Council is concerned by the high attrition rates of women lawyers and believes the retention of women lawyers is a matter of national importance that must be addressed in the legal profession,” said LCA president Alexander Ward.

“Increasing numbers of women are entering the legal profession yet positions of leadership continue to be male-dominated.”

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thisweek

US/UK Update Australia stalls on whistleblower laws Academic AJ Brown met with Julian Assange in the UK recently. Stephanie Quine reports on how Australian whistleblowers are still not properly protected by the law in this country AustrAliA must hold its nerve and course to ensure statutory protection of public whistleblowing, according to academic and author A J Brown. speaking at an international whistleblowing conference at Griffith university on 23 June, the professor and author of michael Kirby’s biography Paradoxes & Principles said Australia’s commitment to introduce federal public interest disclosure laws by 30 June 2011 was set to expire with no laws, no stakeholder consultation and no alternative timetable announced. “maintaining momentum has become a real challenge,” said Brown.

“Conflicted responses of some Australian leaders to Wikileaks, under the shadow of an even less sustainable us Government position, reinforce the need to maintain a clear, long-term vision about the role of whistleblowing in ensuring integrity in government.” the federal delay contrasts with legislative reform at the state level, where new public interest disclosure acts were passed in both Queensland and NsW in 2010 - each hailed as containing world-leading innovations to compensate whistleblowers whose lives and careers are adversely affected by their service.

Positive moves for the protection of journalists have also been achieved with the introduction of a federal “shield law” in the last 10 months.

“But this simply protects journalists from the risk of jail if they refuse to reveal confidential sources - it does nothing, at law, to protect whistleblowers,” said Brown.

Brown presented his paper, Flying Foxes, WikiLeaks and Freedom of Speech: Statutory Recognition of Public Whistleblowing in Australia, to a conference at middlesex university, london, following a one-on-one meeting with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in June. the success of the internet publisher Wikileaks, and its publication of sensitive and embarrassing global diplomatic cables, has brought the issue of whistleblowing to the forefront of international debate.

Brown’s paper summarised the long, yet unfinished, road towards a Commonwealth Public interest Disclosure Bill. Almost four years since federal commitment to such reform was reactivated, a further self-imposed deadline (30 June 2011) has passed without any recent detectable progress.

“On one hand, Australian governments have been restating and strengthening their ‘in principle’ commitments to values of transparency and integrity in government ... on the other, international political pressure and vacillations in leadership, combined with natural institutional resistance to change, mean that key reforms also hang in the balance,” said Brown. the international Whistleblowing research Network Conference in london featured speakers including uK Professor indira Carr on Whistleblowing as an Anti-Corruption tool: the Case of the uK Bribery Act, and Australian Dr Eva tsahuridu on Whistleblowing management is risk management.

Global merger whispers Ashurst has become the latest UK practice to set its sights on the Australian legal market. LegalWeek reports that internal sources have cited a tie-up with Blake Dawson as the most ambitious option Ashurst has discussed. Ashurst and Blakes have previously worked together as informal referral partners and both currently run offices in Tokyo and Singapore with a shared interest in Asia and energy markets.

Merger to create insurance giant UK firms Davies Arnold Cooper (DAC) and Beachcroft are in merger talks to create a £175 million ($267 million) insurance giant, reports The Lawyer. “The combination of Beachcroft’s leading volume and UK insurance practice with DAC’s strong insurance and dispute resolution team in London, Spain and Latin America could create a distinctive full-service offering,” said Beachcroft managing partner Paul Murray. kraft brushes Cadbury team Kraft Foods has bypassed Slaughter and May to appoint Clifford Chance (CC) and DLA Piper to its roster of UK advisers following its £11.5 billion ($17.5billion) hostile takeover of Cadbury, reports LegalWeek. CC and Slaughters acted for Kraft and Cadbury respectively in the takeover last year. The merger of the two respective legal teams has led to a number of departures, including Cadbury’s former chief legal officer and group secretary, Henry Udow, who joined FTSE 100 information provider Reed Elsevier as chief legal officer. sentencing crackdown upsets reformers David Cameron has announced plans to impose a surprise “two strikes and you’re out” mandatory life sentence policy in a move that looks set to dash justice secretary Kenneth Clarke’s hopes of stabilising jail numbers in England and Wales. The Guardian reports that Cameron announced plans for serious violent and sex offenders to spend more time in jail and an automatic six-month jail term for “aggravated knife possession”.

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indepth

Justice for our first people The fourth anniversary of the Intervention coincided with the release of a damning report into the rates of incarceration for Indigenous youth. Justin Whealing reports on the latest recommendations to improve Indigenous access to justice

D

espite numerous Royal Commissions, the spending of billions of dollars and even the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act in the case of the Northern Territory Intervention, the health and incarceration rates for Aboriginal people has not improved.

Speaking on the fourth anniversary of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (the Intervention) on 21 June, a move which has polarised politicians and Indigenous communities, the Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda, said he would like to see Aboriginal people consulted more when politicians make decisions that affect their future.

“We need to listen to mums and dads, the young people and the elders, the remote communities and the Town Campers in Alice Springs,” he said.

Gooda added that while the Intervention had some benefits, its measures - which banned pornography and alcohol and compulsorily acquired land and managed the income of Indigenous people in 73 prescribed communities - hurt Aboriginal people as they were treated differently from other Australians.

“Painting everyone in the community with the same brush is neither helpful, nor fair – particularly to those many people doing the right thing,” he said. The Intervention is due to finish next August.

In the same week that the Indigenous community reflected on the Intervention, a report into Indigenous youth in the criminal justice system was released on 20 June.

The results of “Doing Time – Time for Doing” – The inquiry into Indigenous youth in the criminal justice system, was tabled in Parliament by the seven member House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.

The Committee pulled no punches in releasing its findings, describing the rate of Indigenous youth in Australian prisons as being “in crisis”.

The report found that Aboriginal youth are 28 times more likely to be incarcerated as compared to non-Aboriginal youth, and

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“Tough on crime sounds good and wins elections, but it just doesn’t work for Indigenous people” Alex WArD, presIDenT, lAW CounCIl of AusTrAlIA

described the overrepresentation of Indigenous juveniles in jails as being worse now than it was 20 years ago - when the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report was completed.

When speaking to Lawyers Weekly in April to mark that anniversary, Gooda said that the Royal Commission had failed Aboriginal people.

“The Commission found that Aboriginal people died in jail at a disproportionate rate because they are in jail at a disproportionate rate, and addressed the underlying issues about why Aboriginal people went to jail,” said Gooda at the time. “Given there are a whole lot more people in jail now than in 1991, there was a common agreement that the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission had failed.”

The most recent Parliamentary Report

agrees with that basic premise, and makes 40 recommendations to attempt to redress the imbalance between Indigenous and nonIndigenous incarceration rates.

These include the creation of an Indigenous Law and Justice Advisory Body, alternative sentencing options, improving interpreting and legal services for Indigenous youth and strengthening positive social norms through families, communities, mentoring and sport and recreation.

The Law Council of Australia (LCA) president Alex Ward welcomed such recommendations, and said it was time to end “tough on crime” style policies with regard to Indigenous offenders.

“The rate of Indigenous incarceration is going up, it hasn’t worked,” said Ward when talking of past and current policies. “When you have dreadful situations such as when older men would get young Aboriginal children hooked on petrol, and then sexually abuse them in return for petrol, and that six to eight year-old girl steals a car at 14, then what did you expect?

“She has apparently turned her back on society as a 14 year-old, but we turned our back on her as a six year old.

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indepth

uk firms increase australian intake

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lthough the process of UK firms scouting Australia and New Zealand for top talent is nothing new, the latest recruitment drive by Linklaters confirms that the legal recruitment market is well and truly back on track, with the number of lateral moves to the UK on the up.

“We have been recruiting from Australia and New Zealand for some years, given the high quality of recruits there and our global resourcing needs,” said a spokesperson for Linklaters, upon the announcement it had taken 16 associates from Australia and five from New Zealand.

Back in March this year four partners from Linklaters made their way to Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland to interview approximately 50 lawyers from Allens Arthur Robinson, Blake Dawson, Freehills, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Russell McVeagh in New Zealand.

While Linklaters was not able to provide the names of the newly appointed associates at the time of writing, according to a report by The Lawyer, most of the new recruits will join Linklaters’ London office, with the majority from the banking, capital markets and projects practices.

Emphasising that several overseas firms have already visited Australia in 2010 and 2011 to source lawyers for their international offices, Taylor Root associate director (international) Karlie Connellan claimed that the latest round of recruitment by Linklaters constitutes the first mass hiring campaign since the downturn.

“In addition to the 21 lawyers hired, Linklaters and other international firms have continually made offers to lawyers from Australia and New Zealand throughout last year and this year to date,” added Connellan.

Furthermore, Linklaters’ latest recruitment

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The recent news that Linklaters has pocketed 21 associates from Australia and New Zealand proves that Australian firms must work even harder to hang on to their up-and-coming talent.

Briana Everett reports campaign in Australia illustrates the increasing willingness of UK firms to hire foreign lawyers who require sponsorship.

“UK firms have been restricted in hiring foreign lawyers due to visa constraints.

However, there has been somewhat of a renewed confidence in the London market with some firms starting to consider lawyers who require sponsorship,” noted Connellan.

“However, London firms continue to have a strong preference for lawyers who have their own work visa / passport.

“Ultimately, all leading firms will seek to hire the best qualified lawyer in the market. If that

“UK firms have been restricted in hiring foreign lawyers due to visa constraints.

However, there has been somewhat of a renewed confidence in the London market with some firms starting to consider lawyers who require sponsorship” KArLie ConneLLAn, AssoCiAte direCtor (internAtionAL), tAyLor root

market is outside that firm’s jurisdiction, hiring the right lawyer from the international market is an exercise firms would prefer to undertake rather than hire a lesser qualified lawyer from the local market.”

Despite this increase in confidence, Connellan reiterated that it is unlikely the London market will return to the boom times of 2006/07 until UK visa restrictions are lifted and the European economy is more stable.

“That said, if you’re a lawyer with the right credentials, the international firms will seek to hire you. In comparison to the number of lawyers going abroad in the last two years, we do expect to see more lawyers leaving Australia to work overseas.”

Adding to this threat from UK firms is the growing confidence of Australian lawyers as the market improves, meaning international offers will be that more attractive if Australian lawyers don’t receive competitive offers within their local market.

“There’s a strong sense from lawyers that this year they should be very well looked after,” said Matt Harris, manager, Taylor Root. “There are some really exciting opportunities out there and I think there’s a lot of change in the market.”

Allens Arthur Robinson, which lost some of its staff to Linklaters in its latest recruitment round, said losing talent to London firms is not unexpected and that many of their staff return to the firm from London, bringing with them the benefit of new skills and experience.

“Lateral moves to UK firms slowed down almost to a stand-still during the GFC and are certainly starting to pick up again,” said Jane Lewis, director of people and development, Allens Arthur Robinson. “We are also in the market for talent globally and have been running a successful recruitment campaign centred on the UK for the past few months.” LW

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opinion

Nowhere to hide Like the planet, debate on a carbon tax is warming up. Environment lawyer Fergus Green explains why views that the scheme will either save the planet or destroy business is only adding to the hot air

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fter outlining the plethora of reports and inquiries her newly-elected Government had commissioned on carbon pricing, Prime Minister Julia Gillard warned in a speech late last year that “no responsible decision maker will be able to say next year that they need more time or more information on climate change”. “In 2011”, she warned, “there will be nowhere to hide”.

It’s now mid-way through 2011 and the reports are coming in thick and fast, informing the negotiations within Parliament’s MultiParty Climate Change Committee (MPCCC) on the details of a new carbon pricing scheme that would require all major greenhouse gas-emitting sectors of the economy (except agriculture) to acquire and surrender carbon permits – and therefore pay a carbon price – for their emissions.

The Government’s key climate adviser, Professor Ross Garnaut, released a suite of papers containing recommendations on the design of the new scheme, including that the scheme operate in two phases. During the first phase, the price of permits should be fixed by the Government at an initial rate of between $20 to $30 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent and indexed annually at a real rate of 4 per cent. After three years, the scheme should “switch” to a full “cap-and-trade” scheme in which the Government would set declining annual caps on the number of available permits, in line with an overall emissions reduction target, leaving the market to set the price of permits. These recommendations generally mirror the few basic details of the new scheme that have so far been agreed by the MPCCC.

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As Garnaut was releasing his review, the Productivity Commission handed the Government the results of its inquiry into the costs of carbon reduction policies in a number of major economies. The Inquiry found that Australia ranks in the middle of the eight countries studied in respect of total resources committed to emissions abatement, total abatement achieved and unit cost of abatement.

While the Commission’s analysis supports the Government’s argument that carbon pricing is a relatively cost-effective means of reducing emissions compared with more direct forms of regulation, the report itself notes that it provides “little guidance … as to what the appropriate starting price of an ETS should be”.

Treasury modelling will further inform the MPCCC on this matter. Under a $20 per tonne carbon price, revealed the Treasurer in a recent speech, Australia’s economy will continue to grow strongly, as will gross national income

per person. Moreover, aggregate jobs and jobs growth in the economy will not be affected (there will be some shift from higher to lower emissions-intensive jobs).

Aside from the obvious observations that a higher carbon price will result in more emissions abatement, higher compliance costs for liable entities and greater scheme revenue for the Government, the difference between a $20/tonne and a $30/tonne starting carbon price is likely to be marginal. Any starting price within this range will not be high enough to cause fuel-switching from coal to gas in the National Electricity Market, let alone to usher in the “clean energy revolution” frequently referred to by senior members of the Gillard Government.

Investments in new electricity generation infrastructure, especially in renewable energy, will be more affected by projections of the medium-long term price of carbon than by

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opinion “The likely reality that this particular carbon pricing scheme will produce relatively low levels of abatement and high levels of uncertainty”

the starting price. Four unresolved policy parameters of the scheme will most strongly influence this longer term outlook: the duration of the fixed price phase of the scheme; the indexation rate during the fixed-price phase; the mechanism by which the scheme “switches” to the floating-price phase; and the mediumand long-term targets for Australia’s emissions (and the associated annual scheme caps).

A lengthy fixed price period accompanied by a high indexation rate would result in high carbon prices in the medium-to-long-term and would imbue the scheme with a high degree of stability. Accordingly, it would create a favourable climate for long-term private and public investments in clean technology and infrastructure.

However, based on Professor Garnaut’s recommendations and some initial indications from the MPCCC, the scheme is likely to move from a fixed price phase with a low level of

indexation to a floating price with weak targets and scheme caps in a relatively short period of time (perhaps 3-5 years). Furthermore, the mechanisms for triggering the “switch” between scheme phases and for setting the targets and caps are likely to be heavily influenced by international and domestic political factors.

These likely features of the new scheme imply a fairly soft long-term carbon price characterised by a significant degree of uncertainty that will unnecessarily inflate the policy risk associated with long-lived, low-carbon investments.

Corporate lawyers will be busy throughout the next financial year helping clients navigate these and other complex issues associated with the new carbon scheme. Climate change law specialists are increasing their efforts to educate clients and other lawyers on policy and legal developments as more details of the scheme become known.

When the scheme legislation is released, lawyers will be busy advising on its legal and commercial implications. As was the case when the Rudd Government introduced the illfated Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill (CPRS) in 2009, lawyers are likely to be called upon to advise companies on such matters as: whether they would be liable under the scheme (particular complications tend to arise where two or more companies have shared responsibility for an emissions-intensive facility, such as is common in unincorporated mining joint ventures); whether they are eligible for

compensation under the Emissions-Intensive Trade-Exposed Industry assistance scheme or other industry compensation mechanisms; and the application of statutory mechanisms for transferring scheme liability within a corporate group or to a downstream customer.

Lawyers will also continue to play a critical role in drafting contractual clauses to allocate and pass-on carbon costs incurred by upstream liable entities and in advising on whether existing change in law, change in tax or carbon pass-through clauses in contracts will be triggered by the new scheme.

Finally, climate savvy legal specialists in areas ranging from financial services to planning and environment law will be helping clients to navigate the complex interactions between the federal carbon pricing scheme and other areas of federal, state and local law.

Lawyers and clients alike would be wrong, however, to think that the new carbon price scheme will become the definitive instrument of carbon regulation. The likely reality is that this particular carbon pricing scheme will produce relatively low levels of abatement and high levels of uncertainty, as soft carbon prices mean that many additional laws and policies will be needed to usher in a true structural shift to a low emissions economy. LW Fergus Green is a climate change lawyer in the Energy & Resources Group at Allens Arthur Robinson in Melbourne.

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legalleaders

Community service Helen Campbell OAM has spent much of her career providing legal assistance to society’s most disenfranchised. The CEO of the Women’s Legal Service NSW tells Claire Chaffey why leading a community legal centre requires passion, performance and planning.

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P HOTO : Cl a ir e C Ha ff ey

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rriving on the doorstep of the Women’s Legal Service NSW, one could be forgiven for thinking they’d come to the wrong place.

Hiding in a quiet suburban street in Lidcombe in Sydney’s west, the red brick building in which it is housed is largely nondescript. There’s no signage or visible activity, nor the slightest indication that a bustling legal service thrives behind its locked security door.

Once inside, however, it is a different story entirely: posters depicting the empowerment of women, condemning domestic violence and advocating for the rights of gays and lesbians brighten the waiting room walls, and an air of ordered chaos occupies the busy halls and offices piled high with files, books and boxes of documents.

Leading the bustle is Helen Campbell, the organisation’s chief executive officer and recent recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Upon first impressions, Campbell is somewhat like the organisation which she heads: welcoming, colourful, no-nonsense and absolutely passionate about using the law to assist women in need.

She is also acutely modest about her achievements and exudes no air of selfimportance as she confesses to being a workaholic unable to simply do her day job and feels that she’s giving all that she could (she did give up her positions on the six boards on

which she sat in 2010 in order to “have a break”, but her plan only lasted six months and she was last week elected as chair on yet another committee).

Given that Campbell has spent the vast majority of her career working in community legal centres, her work ethic and cheery demeanor perhaps come as no surprise.

After all, lawyers who work in such organisations are generally known for their deep social values and willingness to forego high salaries for the sake of providing access to justice to the underprivileged.

For Campbell, while joining the community legal centre fray at the start of her career was not necessarily a targeted decision, it is one

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legalleaders

which she would never change and, to a certain extent, was a matter of fate.

“I have never regretted turning to community legal centres. It is a wonderful place to have a career,” she says. “I know it doesn’t pay very well, but there is a huge amount of flexibility and freedom to pursue what you’re interested

countries where there has been that history of dispossession, they are not out there … lobbing bombs at us. When you think about it, they have been very tolerant.”

But not all was well at the ALS, and Campbell soon realised the extent to which Indigenous women were being further marginalised by the

I did one year in private practice.

I made less money than the photocopy boy. I was hopeless at getting the clients to pay me”

A young Helen Campbell at Newtown in the 1980’s

in. I wanted to make a difference and law is the structure of society. Grappling with the architecture of society is where you get a chance to build things in different ways.”

Campbell’s first experience in a community legal centre was working for the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) in the late 1980s. Here, Campbell relished the chance to work with an organisation which was tackling black deaths in custody cases, and join the action as land rights protesters used the 1988 bicentenary to plead their cause – with many being hauled off to the police station for their efforts.

“It was terrific to start at the ALS because [Indigenous people are] a very oppressed group of people,” she says. “It was an exciting time to be around. It’s a terrific community to work with because they’re so resilient and good humoured. Given what has happened to them, they are remarkably cheerful. Unlike a lot of

very service supposedly there to assist them.

“During that time I really came to see the extent to which Aboriginal women were not being well served by that organisation … A lot of the issues that Aboriginal women were facing were not being well catered for,” she says.

“The ALS quite sensibly had a policy of not doing black against black cases, because we had enough on our plates doing black against the rest of the world. So if there was a dispute between Aboriginal people we wouldn’t do it.

That effectively meant that a lot of the things Aboriginal women were dealing with, such as family law issues, were not dealt with.”

Campbell’s experience at the ALS is one which has stayed with her throughout her career.

While she did dabble in private practice for a year, largely in order to qualify for an unrestricted practicing certificate (something which was not an option within community legal centres at the time), she soon realised where she did – or didn’t - belong.

“I did one year in private practice. I made less money than the photocopy boy. I was hopeless at getting the clients to pay me,” she laughs.

Throughout the 90s, Campbell did stints at other community legal centres, in a government department and even in politics, but in 2002 she landed a role as executive officer at Redfern Legal Centre, where she stayed until 2010.

Essentially, it was her role here which earned Campbell her OAM – something which came as quite a shock.

“I was very surprised, because I’ve had a lifetime of being a stirrer, really,” she muses.

“I didn’t actually think the powers-that-be would give me an award. It’s proof of what a democratic nation we are: the Government not only funds me to criticise them, but they give me a medal for doing it!”

On a more serious note, though, Campbell says she is grateful for the recognition that the award brings to the work of community legal centres in general, as well as her years of hard work and dedication to a community about which she is quite obviously passionate.

In a career that has spanned more than 20 years, Campbell’s time at the WLS has been relatively short. There is thus, she says, a lot more for her to achieve in her role of CEO before she considers taking it easy. And doing this, she adds, allows her to indulge her passion for management and leadership, which she likens to a theatrical foray.

“Leadership is a performance, and it is a performance that has to be convincing enough to get people to follow you,” she says.

“There are a lot of things that go with that: confidence, reliability, being interactive, being interruptible, but it is also about inspiring people. You want to create a place where the atmosphere is energised. It is not only that people are enjoying being at work, but that they’re busy and engaged and dedicated and focused on what we do.”

Campbell says that sincere and effective leadership is particularly important within an environment such as a community legal centre, largely because funding is so scarce.

“Because we have a few crumbs of resources that have to be distributed, we really have to count every crumb to ensure that we are getting maximum value,” she says. “We have to be focused and we have to max ourselves out. The only way you can operate at full strength all the time is if people are really enthusiastic about putting themselves into it.”

While Campbell is optimistic that organisations like the WLS will continue to forge change through their case, policy and community education work, she laments the bigger picture when it comes to allowing everyone in society to have an equal playing field in both life and the justice system.

“I am really concerned with vilification and people being labeled because of what they look like, what religion they practice, or the manner in which the arrived in Australia. Like all prejudices, it is basically laziness. It says, ‘I can’t be bothered getting to know you as an individual and trying to understand your circumstances. I can just tell at a glance what label fits you and then I don’t have to bother thinking about you anymore’,” she says.

“The more prevalent that is, the less likely the recipients of those labels are going to get a fair go. If we go about labeling people, the more risk of them feeling they don’t have a justice system that cares for them. And the more people around us who don’t feel they’ve had a fair go, the less safe we all are.” LW

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coverstory

who made Amid an increasingly global legal market, the latest round of partnership promotions reflects the stability and steady growth of Australian firms. Reports Briana Everett

T

he recent appointments to partnership announced in time for the beginning of the 2011/2012 financial year contained few surprises.

While the nature of the Australian legal market is changing with the arrival of global firms, significant mergers and new alliances, Australian firms have, in the main, demonstrated their resilience and buoyancy amid a period of structural change and consolidation.

Indicative of an increasing level of optimism within the market is the latest round of partner promotions made Henry Davis by firms such as Allens Arthur Robinson, which made its York grew its largest round of partner appointments in four years, Corrs partnership Chambers Westgarth, which also made an unprecedented by 10 per number of partner appointments, and Henry Davis York, cent which grew its partnership by 10 per cent.

“A lot of people who achieve partnership this year should be very pleased with themselves. Not just for having achieved the milestone but for achieving it in an economy where we’re seeing significant structural changes within law firms,” says Lisa Gazis, Mahlab Recruitment managing director (NSW).

“Some of the law firms are not increasing in size and are in fact getting smaller. Where you have firms which are increasing and adding to their partnerships, it’s quite a significant thing in the market because they’re doing it against the backdrop of a lot of consolidation.”

On 3 June Allens announced the addition of 12 lawyers to its partnership across its Australian and Asian offices, half of whom began their careers with the national firm.

Nicholas Adkins, Mark Malinas, Hop Dang, Jodi Reinmuth, Gavin Smith and Duncan Travis all began their careers at Allens and have now joined the firm’s partnership. Philip Blaxill, Julian Donnan, Karla Fraser, Michael Graves, Penny Nikoloudis and Matthew Whittle were also appointed to partner.

10%

“Some of the law firms are not increasing in size and are in fact getting smaller. Where you have firms which are increasing and adding to their partnerships, it’s quite a significant thing in the market because they’re doing it against the backdrop of a lot of consolidation” LiSa GaziS, manaGinG direcTor, mahLab recruiTmenT (nSW)

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coverstory

SnapShot: Those appointed to Australian law firm partnerships in the last 6 months, effective 1 July 2011 allens arthur robinson (12) Nicholas Adkins Mark Malinas Hop Dang Jodi Reinmuth Gavin Smith Duncan Travis Philip Blaxill Julian Donnan Karla Fraser Michael Graves Penny Nikoloudis Matthew Whittle

Freehills (6) Patrick Gay Joel Rennie Adam Strauss David Hugo Liz Macknay Nicholas Ogilvie Corrs Chambers westgarth (11) Anna Ross Paul Carrick Sam Delaney Steve Johns Frances Wheelahan

Janine Young Jennifer DeJong Frances Williams Helen Clarke Sarah Leonard Shaun Bailey Henry Davis york (6) Peter Mulligan Craig Ensor Claudine Salameh Tom Hollo Scarlet Reid Justin Madden

Minter ellison (10) Rebecca Bedford Kylie Diwell Joseph Pace Joanne Dunne Lisa Ridd Ricky Casali Jakob Paartalu Antra Hood Graeme Slattery Kymberley Lawrence Gadens lawyers (11) Andrew Young Damian O’Connor

Daniel Livingston Naomi Guyett David Passarella Richard Partridge Brian Smith Simon Duke Stephanie Nicol Helen Ord Cordell Smith lander & rogers (4) Michael Kavanagh Radhika Mendis Daniel Proietto Lillian Rizkalla

Middletons (1) Lisa Egan Norton rose (2) Ben Allen Marnie McConnell Colin Biggers (1) & Paisley Leanne Walker watson Mangioni (1) Chris Clarke (director)

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coverstory

marnie mcconneLL, partner, norton rose

Joining the global partnerships Of the global firms operating in Australia, Norton Rose announced the appointment of five of its lawyers to partnership in the Asia-Pacific, including Ben Allen in Canberra and insurance lawyer Marnie McConnell in Sydney.

Born in Canada, McConnell moved to Sydney in 1999 and worked for Abbott Tout in commercial litigation. She then joined Deacons (now Norton Rose) in late 2000, returned in November 2007, and has reached the firm’s partnership ranks almost four years later.

McConnell has a professional indemnity and directors and officers’ liability practice, advising local and London underwriters in connection with disputes involving risks covered by such policies.

Following the official

integration of DLA Phillips Fox and DLA Piper in May, the Australian arm of DLA Piper made no other additions to its partnership in the July rounds.

However, the global firm announced the appointment of 53 new partners across 18 countries, effective 1 July.

In Asia, DLA Piper made five partner promotions in China, one in Singapore and one in Japan. Globally, the firm’s litigation and regulatory group saw the largest intake of new partners, with 14 appointments.

Allen & Overy Australia confirmed it had not made any Australian partnership appointments during its first year. However, the firm says it is “now focused on preparing its people for the global Allen & Overy partnership process”.

The firm’s latest round of partner appointments covers a range of practice areas, including resources, technology, banking Increase in Corrs and projects, and takes Allens’ total partner total headcount headcount to 185, including 30 females.

Making an unprecedented number of partner promotions, Corrs increased its partnership by almost one-fifth this year, announcing the promotion of 11 lawyers to partner.

The internal promotions and the ten lateral partnership appointments the firm has made since January 2011 represent a 17.6 per cent increase in the firm’s total partner headcount, in line with Corrs’ strategy for 30 per cent growth by 2015.

“We embarked on a strategy in the course of the year for 2015, which is around expanding our scale in the right areas,” explains Corrs managing partner John Denton.

“One thing we’ve learned is that to ensure your position you don’t take anything for granted so you look ahead and see how you have to change to give life to an improved position for the firm.

“We’re taking a view which is growth, which is actually quite different to managing your way through. We’re going to grow our way through rather than shrink our way through.”

17.6%

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“We’re taking a view which is growth, which is actually quite different to managing your way through.

We’re going to grow our way through rather than shrink our way through” John Denton, partner anD chief executive officer, corrs chambers Westgarth

As part of its expansion strategy, Corrs appointed Sydneybased Anna Ross, Paul Carrick, Sam Delaney, Shaun Bailey and Steve Johns, Melbourne-based Frances Wheelahan, Janine Young and Jennifer DeJong, Brisbane-based Frances Williams, Helen Clarke, and Perth-based Sarah Leonard to the firm’s partnership.

Also on the growth path is Henry Davis York, which confirmed that managing partner Sharon Cook would remain as the firm’s head until 2014, while also announcing the appointment of six new partners, providing a 10 per cent boost to its partnership and bringing the total number of partners to 58.

According to HDY chairman of partners Philip Crawford, the firm’s latest partner appointments reflect its growth across a range of its practice areas, including banking, restructuring and insolvency, commercial disputes, corporate advisory, workplace relations and safety, as well as property, environment and construction.

Joining the HDY partnership are Peter Mulligan, in corporate advisory, Craig Ensor and Claudine Salameh in banking restructuring and insolvency, Tom Hollo in commercial disputes, Scarlet Reid in workplace relations and safety and Justin Madden in property environment and projects.

Upping the representation of women within its partnership this year is Minter Ellison, which added 10 new partners – six of them female – taking the proportion of female partners to 23 per cent. The majority of Minters’ promotions occurred within its Melbourne practice and take the firm’s total partner head count to 296, up from 289 this time last year.

Joining Minter Ellison’s partnership on 1 July are Rebecca Bedford, Kylie Diwell, Joseph Pace, Joanne Dunne and Lisa Ridd in Melbourne, Ricky Casali and Jakob Paartalu in Sydney, Antra Hood in Brisbane, Graeme Slattery in Perth and Kymberley Lawrence in Adelaide.

Maintaining the growth from its 11 partner promotions in 2010, Gadens Lawyers again added 11 lawyers to its partnership this year across its Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices.

Joining the firm’s partnership in Brisbane is Andrew Young and Damian O’Connor, while Daniel Livingston, Naomi Guyett, David Passarella and Richard Partridge joined the firm’s partnership in Melbourne. In Perth, Brian Smith was appointed partner, while Sydney lawyers Simon Duke, Stephanie Nicol, Helen Ord and Cordell Smith were also appointed to partner level.

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coverstory

“Freehills hires and promotes based purely on merit and a developed business case and are driven by client demand and the Freehills talent pipeline – not activity by competitors”

stephanie nicol, partner, GaDens

Partnering part-time Demonstrating that lawyers can reach the partnership ranks of a firm whilst working part-time is Stephanie Nicol, who was this month appointed to the partnership of Gadens Lawyers.

Having previously worked at Minter Ellison and the Australian Government Solicitor in Sydney, Nicol joined Gadens as a senior associate in 2007.

Practising in the area of

employment and industrial law for over 13 years, Nicol now works four days per week while raising a family with two children.

“I propose to continue to work flexibly as a partner,” says Nicol. “It’s nice knowing I work for a firm where opting to work flexible hours is not perceived as a barrier to entry into the partnership.”

Also achieving significant growth within the last 12 months is Lander & Rogers, which announced the appointment of four lawyers to The proportion its partnership. In the same period, the firm also of females in managed to increase its number of female partners Lander & to 17, now representing 32 per cent of the firm’s Rogers partnership. partnership “Our 2011 partnerships reflect the continued expansion of the firm across all our practice areas,” says Lander & Rogers chief executive partner Andrew Willder. “Our partnership numbers have increased by around 18 per cent during the past year.”

Joining Lander & Roger’s partnership in 2011 are Michael Kavanagh and Radhika Mendis in the insurance law and litigation team, Daniel Proietto in the firm’s workplace relations and safety team, and WorkCover lawyer Lillian Rizkalla.

In comparison to the significant expansion of some firm’s partner numbers, the size of the Freehills partnership remained relatively unchanged this year. It announced the internal appointment of six new partners to keep the firm’s total partner headcount stable at 197.

Joining the firm’s partnership on 1 July are Patrick Gay, Joel Rennie and Adam Strauss in Sydney, David Hugo and Liz Macknay in Perth and Nicholas Ogilvie in Melbourne.

“Partner numbers fluctuate from time to time but have been broadly static at Freehills for the last few years,” says Freehills chief executive officer Gavin Bell. “Freehills hires and promotes based purely on merit and a developed business case and are driven by client demand and the Freehills talent pipeline – not activity by competitors.”

Also relatively quiet on the partnership front this month was Middletons, which promoted 16 to senior associate level but only one, Lisa Egan, to the partnership, compared with four during the same period last year.

32%

Gavin Bell, chieF executive oFFicer, Freehills

The lateral pull Given the current economic climate and the growing presence of global firms in Australia, the threat of lateral movement across the partnerships of Australian firms has never been higher.

These firms have put an even greater emphasis on attraction and retention strategies to ensure they’re able to hold onto their partners and sustain and grow their firms accordingly.

“There seem to be more lateral appointments than any other time I can remember. There are more announcements of significant partners – senior partners who people would assume would never change jobs and would be with the firm they’re with now until they retire – actually making moves,” says Taylor Root manager Matt Harris.

“We’re seeing some very surprising, significant partners from some very established firms moving and showing up at more dynamic firms – some of the international firms and some of the more entrepreneurial, smaller and profitable law firms.”

In response to this lateral movement threat, a number of Australian firms are now attempting to offer greater clarity to their people regarding pathways to partnership as a way of attracting and retaining their up-and-coming lawyers.

According to Harris, rapidly growing firms such as Corrs and Gilbert + Tobin are now promising lawyers faster progression to partnership, providing case studies of existing lawyers that have made partnership in a given time frame.

“There’s no guarantee, but to be frank, if you had to place your bets somewhere it’s worth moving to [a different firm] …

Corrs are able to tell a very confident story about the progression possibilities for a senior associate which, quite often, is a much more attractive story than they’ll get, perhaps, from other firms in the market,” he says.

Similarly, Gazis has noticed a greater mobility amongst lawyers and an increased preparedness to consider other options, given the positive sentiment within the market.

“Increasingly, people are beginning to feel a bit more confident,” she says. “Firms have been very successful in picking up practice groups or a number of partners in one hit.”

According to Gazis, there have been a greater number of lateral partnership appointments in the larger firms across all major cities, particularly by the larger mid-tier firms.

“Some of the top mid-tier firms are being very successful in pushing forward and appointing new partners or acquiring

l aw y e r s w e e k ly 1 j u ly 2 0 11

21

coverstory

“We’re seeing some very surprising, significant partners from some very established firms moving and showing up at more dynamic firms – some of the international firms and some of the more entrepreneurial, smaller and profitable law firms” MATT HARRIS, MANAGER, TAYLOR ROOT

new practices,” she says. “I think retention has always been an important issue but it’s going to continue increasingly as the economy continues to improve and partners have more options.”

In anticipation of the structural changes occurring within the market, according to Denton, Corrs this year began to focus heavily on the development of its partnership platform as part of its growth strategy, but also in an effort to provide more opportunities for the firm’s staff.

“We told our people that we would make certain there were opportunities for growth for them,” explains Denton. “We’ve elevated 11 [to the partnership] so we have given truth to our promises.”

While Freehills’ partnership size remained unchanged this year, Bell says his firm is also working on developing clarity with respect to what it takes to reach the top.

“Freehills recently completed work on building competency models that provide a compelling picture of what it takes to be successful at pivotal stages in a legal career,” says Bell. “This year we piloted an ‘emerging leaders program’ as the primary formal development requirement for solicitors with three to five years’ experience.”

But while the firms try their best to keep their top talent, in the wake of July’s partnership announcements there will inevitably be a level of disappointment amongst those who missed out.

However, for those who didn’t make the cut, Harris claims there are plenty of options out there.

“Senior associates who haven’t made partner this year should take a look at what else is out there and what other firms promise,” he says. “There are definitely options out there. There are no guarantees but there are certainly some firms out there that are much more entrepreneurial than others when it comes to their progression capabilities.” LW

JODI REINMUTH, PARTNER, ALLENS ARTHUR ROBINSON

In it for the long haul think that’s helped me grow into the role [of partner],” she said.

“Becoming a partner is sort of the next step and it lets you continue your journey. In my case I wanted to be a specialist and recognised in my field.”

Asia-based lawyer Hop Dang, who recently obtained his doctorate from Oxford University, also began his career at Allens and this year achieved admission to the firm’s partnership.

Dang began as a clerk in Allens’ Hanoi office, performing general office duties, but with the encouragement of Vietnam practice head Bill Magennis, Dang then embarked on a legal career and undertook his law degrees in both Vietnam and Australia.

“Hop’s experience, and that of all our new partners, reflects the importance of having a strong mentor,” said chief executive partner Michael Rose.

“In the past four years Allens has invested heavily in identifying, training and formally mentoring prospective partners.”

Beginning her career at Allens Arthur Robinson in 1996 as a vacation clerk, energy and resources lawyer Jodi Reinmuth was this year appointed as a partner in the firm’s growing Perth office.

Joining the firm in its Melbourne office almost 15 years ago, Reinmuth initially moved to the firm’s Perth office under a two-year secondment basis.

“Then two years turned into five … and now I’ve been in Perth for 10 years, which has been an extraordinary experience because the office here has grown incredibly in that period,” Reinmuth told Lawyers Weekly.

As a new female partner, Reinmuth credits her rise to partner to the firm’s internal mechanisms for recognising the professional development of women and the external and internal mentoring arrangements of the firm. “[The internal programs] give a formal structure to mentoring.

I’ve had the benefit of being involved in those programs and I

Year on year Partnership appointments made on 1 July 2010 and 1 July 2011 Firm

July 2010

July 2011

Allens Arthur Robinson

7

12

Freehills

6

6

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

4

11

Minter Ellison

10

10

Norton Rose

6

2 (15 worldwide)

DLA Phillips Fox

6

Henry Davis York

3

6

Gadens Lawyers

11

11

* Now DLA Piper (53 global partner appointments)

Middletons

4

1

Watson Mangioni

1

1

Lander & Rogers

1

4

*FIGURES INCLUDE INTERNAL PROMOTIONS AND LATERAL APPOINTMENTS

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L AW Y E R S W E E K LY 1 J U LY 2 0 11

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Lawyers Weekly online had a record high 163,691 page views in May 2011 SOURCE: Google analytics

Follow those in the know and get your legal news and analysis at

www.lawyersweekly.com.au

career

counsel

Getting interview skills right For those looking to move on from their current firm in 2011, new research has revealed some of the top interview blunders to avoid Mentioning Money as your sole motivation in a job interview may be an obvious gaffe, however, there are a number of subtle mistakes professionals make during the application process which could mean they miss out. in new research released this month by recruitment specialist Robert Half, a number of leading hiring managers listed the biggest mishaps they, or their colleagues, had witnessed when interviewing candidates.

While some of the extreme interview blunders included bringing parents along to the interview, telling knock-knock jokes in response to questions and answering phone calls during the interview, more subtle mistakes were identified.

“For many, the interview process can be a stressful and nerve-wracking experience and

of working dads report working more than 50 hours per week on average, up from 19 per cent in 2010.

22 %

of working dads spend two hours or less with their children each day, while 16 per cent spend one hour or less

39 %

Source: Careerbuilder.com survey, 16 June 2011

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l aw y e r s w e e k ly 1 j u ly 2 0 11

can lead to subtle interview mistakes,” explained Robert Half UK managing director Phil Sheridan. “to put your best foot forward, try to let your personality shine through as employers are looking for candidates who display excellent interpersonal skills and good judgement in addition to strong technical capabilities.”

According to leading hiring managers, while authenticity is appreciated, common sense should prevail. As the research revealed, some job candidates are simply too candid, don’t wear the appropriate attire or commit the ultimate interview error – they are dishonest.

According to Robert Half, the most common interview mistakes include providing longwinded responses, poor posture, disrespecting previous employers as well as throwing in the towel too early.

“While you certainly don’t want to give a

my

series of one-word responses, be careful not to ramble. Aim to be thorough, yet succinct.

Don’t over-answer or attempt to fill dead air in between questions,” Robert Half advises.

Candidates should avoid venting their frustrations about their current or former employer during an interview. “it’s important to be tactful and diplomatic. Criticising former employers only makes you look mad. even a mildly sarcastic quip can raise red flags.

When in doubt, take the high road.”

And if an interview is not going too well, Robert Half warns candidates not to throw in the towel.

“Don’t act dejected if you feel the interview is going poorly. if you fumble a response, maintain your composure and move on. Showing that you can swiftly recover after a setback might actually work in your favour.”

next move

With Daniel Stirling, partner, Dolman

Q A

How do I prepare for an in-house interview?

It can be difficult to know what to expect when preparing for an in-house interview, particularly when making the move for the first time. An interview for a legal role within a corporation can be quite different to one at a law firm and this difference is even more stark for candidates who have remained with the same firm since applying to the graduate scheme.

Clearly, the interviewers are still looking to evaluate your technical and cultural suitability for the role, yet it is important to understand that they may be more focused on other factors such as commerciality and stakeholder management than some law firms. Partner-led law firm interviews can be dominated by technical questions, though they can also involve behavioural questions when there is an HR involvement. For in-house roles there is often a greater behavioural component

designed to test your non-technical skills such as ability to influence, team working, resilience/ overcoming challenges, negotiation, customer service and commercial nous.

It can be a good idea to study the personal skills or competencies section of the position description and to think of examples from your work history which demonstrate your ability in each of the areas listed. It is also important to give some thought to your reasons for moving in-house and to gain an understanding of the differences of working in an internal legal team (through secondments or speaking to friends or former colleagues who have made the move) as employers will want to know that you are committed to the move and that you have a good understanding, so you can hit the ground running and will be more likely to stay in the role.

Finally, you should do as much research as you can on the company as they want to know that you want to work for them, rather than just moving into any in-house role.

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folk

law

Not so sober as a judge

For NSw judge roderick howie, it would seem his application of the law was based more along the lines of: “do as I say, not as I do”. howie, a retired Supreme Court judge and acting judge in the Court of Appeal at the time of the incident, was arrested and charged with mid-range drink driving after he was involved in a collision with a truck and two cars. howie veered into oncoming traffic on the morning of 19 May shortly after leaving his house in Beecroft, in Sydney’s north-west. the Daily Telegraph reports that he admitted consuming a bottle of wine the night before, and although his blood alcohol level was 0.168 when he was first breathalysed soon after the incident, he was charged with a mid-range offence after recording a blood alcohol level of 0.121 at a local police station. howie pleaded guilty in absentia when his matter was heard at the ryde Local Court on 22 June, as he was overseas holidaying in Japan. he faces a nine-month prison term and a fine of

$2200 when he is sentenced on 21 September. howie joins fellow wig-wearers such as Justice Marcus einfeld as a judge caught behaving badly when behind the wheel. his arrest has provoked much comment in the legal world, as he has long been a campaigner for tougher sentences for drink drivers.

In 2004 he was one of five Supreme Court judges that found too much leniency was given to high-range drink drivers when they were sentenced.

“It appears to me that the courts are too ready to reduce the automatic period and to choose the minimum disqualification period as the alternative,” he said in 2004, when commenting on a study of 99 drink drivers that were sentenced in local courts.

Folklaw trusts that the good judge is remorseful and hopes that Justice howie will be able to still get around sans wheels to enjoy the delights of Beecroft (where Folklaw sometimes shows off a well-honed serve and volley game when rubbing shoulders with the north-west glitterati at the Beecroft Lawn tennis Club).

Lawyer in trouble for extra-curricular activities MAyBe It was to fund her mounting student debts, but a young female lawyer in the US has been accused of performing sex acts for men at about $100 a pop.

As reported by Rollonfriday, 25-year-old sole practitioner reema Bajaj has been charged with three counts of prostitution, based on accusations she performed sex acts for men, including one act alleged to have occurred in the vicinity of a school, which constitutes a felony rather than a misdemeanour and could mean jail time.

Bajaj apparently turned herself in after a warrant was issued for her arrest but denied the charges on her website (which has been taken down). refuting the accusations, Bajaj said, “I am probably one of the few attorneys who knows what it feels like to be accused and in need of help”.

According to Rollonfriday, Bajaj is an “unlikely prostitute” and her college colleagues were shocked to hear the accusations.

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l aw y e r s w e e k ly 1 J u ly 2 0 11

Juror’s ‘lols’ land her in jail

For the second time in as many weeks, a juror has caused major havoc in the court room - this time causing the collapse of a £6 million drug trial and landing herself an eight-month jail sentence thanks to her inappropriate social networking.

As reported by Rollonfriday, UK juror, Mancunian Joanne Frail, was jailed after contacting the defendant in a major drug trial, Jamie Sewart, through Facebook - despite repeated instructions from the judge not to do so. the juror’s messages were apparently full of ‘lols’ and included details of the jury’s deliberations.

Not surprisingly, Sewart, who happily took part in the Facebook banter with Frail, was grateful for the contact, asking her for information and requesting that she “keep in touch” with the promise of “a nice pressie”. Lucky Frail.

Apparently aware that her Facebook chitchat would get her into strife, Frail asked Sewart to keep their communications on the down-low as she would “get 4cked”.

Frail, clearly more interested in Sewart than her duties as a juror, told Sewart “all that note-taking was just killing time. Lol. Drew more than I wrote lol”.

In another act in contempt of court, Frail also admitted to researching another defendant on the internet.

According to Rollonfriday, Frail wept and collapsed in court as her sentence was handed down.

r e A D t h e L At e S t FoLKLAw oNLINe www.lawyersweekly.com.au/folklaw

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taylorroot.com.au Tim Fogarty Private Practice Melbourne

Australia Superannuation

Melbourne

Funds/FSR

Sydney

Mergers & Acquisitions

Melbourne

This market leader seeks a mid to senior superannuation lawyer to work on key projects. Working on a broad range of legal and compliance matters, this role will be rewarded with senior management involvement and a competitive salary. A great first in-house role.

Ref: 644130.

5-10 years

This leading mid-tier firm will consider someone with prior FS experience or a corporate lawyer interested in a change of direction and a new challenge.

Three Partners head the team and have good experience of mentoring and developing juniors. An excellent opportunity. Ref: 6442855.

2+ years

Our client has a talented partner group within the firm’s corporate team in Melbourne. It attracts an interesting mix of public and private work. Candidates with experience of listings rules are of particular interest. The firm is known for its outstanding culture.

Ref: 641331.

2-6 years

Corporate M&A

Employment

Funds

Sydney

Brisbane

Sydney

Global business with a forward-thinking and innovative culture seeks a talented lawyer to be involved in providing corporate law and securities advice, assisting in negotiation and documentation of transactions. Working closely with both internal and external stakeholders. Ref: 644318.

2-5 years

Exceptional opportunity for you to take a step up and relocate to one of Australia’s finest employment practices. Work across the full gamut of IR/ER work in a collegiate environment under the tutelage of the best in the business. Full relocation paid and an above market rate salary. Ref: 643907.

3+ years

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the dynamic Sydney based legal team supporting a global funds business. You will work on a range of retail and wholesale funds, both domestic and international. Contact us now for more information.

Ref: 644071.

3-6 years

Commercial Property

Energy & Resources

Banking & Finance

Sydney

This leading firm has just brought on board a very significant new Partner and as part of the planned growth, a new SA is now sought. Terrific opportunity to be part of something new with a very clear path for your own career progression. Contact us now for more information. Ref: 644337.

5+ years

Australia wide

Melbourne

Multiple opportunities exist for talented lawyers Australia wide. Lawyers with experience in either mining, oil & gas, electricity and water will be highly regarded. Exceptional packages are on offer as is relocation to Brisbane and Perth. Our clients are interviewing now. Ref: 642779.

2+ years

Exceptionally talented mid-level candidates are sought by this top-tier firm. If you have had at least 2 years of transactional banking experience gained ideally from another prominent firm but want to make a move to a globally recognised firm and take a step-up, then this role is ideal. Ref: 644000.

2-5 years

Environment/Climate Change

IP

International Corporate/Commercial

Dubai

London

Dubai

This regional holding company is looking to add a senior corporate/commercial lawyer to its small team. Working on commercial contracts, corporate (JV/M&A) and litigation work, the ideal candidate will have strong law firm and in-house experience. Tax free salary. Ref: GP23943.

5-7 years

Our client, a leading international firm, is keen to hire a mid-level associate to join its market leading environmental, climate change and sustainability team. You will need strong transactional experience from a top-tier firm. Superb remuneration. Sponsored visas available. Ref: 842030.

2+ years

As one of the leading practices within the region, this team offers the opportunity to carry out an excellent range of IP work. The team sits as part of the commercial group and is a strong, established and cohesive team from which a junior can learn and further develop their career. Ref: 806470. 1-3 years

Construction/Projects

Project Finance/Power

Corporate

Singapore

Dubai

Hong Kong

The core skill set is non-contentious construction and projects (commercial contracts). Any experience on financing or specific industry sectors (power, energy, PPP etc) would be a plus. The individual has to be versatile and prepared at a pinch to do contentious construction work. Ref: 128601.

5-6 years

Our client, a major power project developer in the Middle East, is looking for a very strong projects lawyer to come on board, with plenty of power documentation experience. You will most likely come from a top-tier law firm, from anywhere in the world.

Ref: 23843.

3-6 years

Top-tier UK law firm with a strong presence in Hong Kong seeks a mid to senior level corporate associate to work on big ticket M&A and private equity deals. The ideal candidate will have a genuine commitment to the region but no Chinese language skills are required.

Ref: 122400.

5+ years

Banking/Project Finance

Oil & Gas

Corporate

Singapore

This Magic Circle law firm in Singapore advises governments, sponsors, banks, ECAs, MLAs and project companies on projects and project financings throughout south east Asia. It is looking for a first class lawyer with around 2-4 years’ experience from a top-tier firm. Tax at 15%. Ref: 117701. 2-4 years

Kuwait

Our client is a growing independent upstream O&G company headquartered in Kuwait. With global activity increasing, it now needs additional specialist O&G lawyers for its busy team. Strong law firm/inhouse experience is a pre-requisite for this role. £Tax free package on offer. Ref: 24583GP. 3-10 years

Moscow

Magic Circle firm in Moscow is looking for a common law qualified corporate associate, mid-senior level to come on board. A truly leading M&A and PE practice – will be looking for that experience in the candidate.

Russian skills not essential, great package including housing and 13% tax. Ref: 781930.

2-6 years

For International roles, call Karlie Connellan on +61 (0)2 9236 9000 or email karlieconnellan@taylorroot.com.au For Australian Private Practice roles, call Matt Harris or email mattharris@taylorroot.com.au For Australian In-House roles, call Brian Rollo or email brianrollo@taylorroot.com.au For Melbourne roles, call Tim Fogarty on +61 (0)3 8610 8400 or email timfogarty@taylorroot.com.au THE SR GROUP . BREWER MORRIS . CARTER MURRAY . FRAZER JONES . PARKER WELLS . SR SEARCH . TAYLOR ROOT LONDON . DUBAI . HONG KONG . SINGAPORE . SYDNEY . MELBOURNE