Linda Evans joins HSF’s partnership from Clayton Utz
Competition law star Linda Evans has traded Clayton Utz for Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) as of Monday.
“Linda is widely considered to be one of Australia’s best competition partners and her addition to the firm cements our position as the preeminent legal advisor in competition, regulation and trade,” said Liza Carver, the regional head of HSF’s competition, regulation and trade team in Australia.
Evans joins the firm’s partnership, working with the international CRT team. She will focus on all aspects of trade practices and competition law.
She specialises in mergers and issues involving third-party access, and has significant experience with contentious matters. She has been involved in merger clearances, enforcement proceedings, cartel investigations and immunity applications; moreover, she has helped to structure and guide clients on joint ventures, supply and distribution arrangements and the regulation of major infrastructure.
Evans has advised on a number of noteworthy deals, including Vodafone plc’s $15bn merger with TPG and Seven West Media’s sale of Pacific Magazines to Bauer Media, both of which required approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
“Given increased activity by the ACCC, especially in relation to company separations and M&A clearances, Australian companies are increasingly focused on regulatory compliance and risk,” Carver said. “Our clients will therefore benefit immensely from Linda’s deep understanding of the ACCC, her sophisticated commercial approach and her demonstrated ability to find novel solutions to complex issues.”
Carver and Evans will be working closely together. Evans will be based in HSF’s Sydney office.
“I would like to welcome Linda to our partnership. Like Liza, Linda is one of the most highly regarded competition experts in the country. The combined expertise that she, Liza and the rest of the team will bring to bear for clients will be second to none,” said Andrew Pike, HSF’s executive partner, east.
Last year, the firm also beefed up its global financial services regulatory team in Sydney with the addition of former Norton Rose Fulbright partner Charlotte Henry to the partnership.
