Eight make partner at Clayton Utz

Clayton Utz will officially welcome eight more senior lawyers to its partnership at the start of 2020.

Rob Cutler, chief executive partner, said that it is an honour to welcome the eight lawyers to the partnership.

“They are all highly talented professionals, respected by clients and colleagues in their areas of specialisation and for their industry experience, commerciality, and practical, confident approach to the work they do,” he said. “We're proud to see them promoted.”

The new Clayton Utz partners are

Owen Bourke, Forensic and technology services, Sydney

Bourke specialises in complex forensic and regulatory investigations work, and his work is in high demand from clients that needs smart, responsive services when dealing with masses of information, Clayton Utz said. He has worked with a wide range of clients, including both government and private-sector clients. He joined as a director of the then newly launched forensic and technology services practice in 2017.

Ben Cansdale, Corporate, Brisbane

Cansdale is a core member of the national energy and resources team, Clayton Utz said. He has extensive experience in M&A, regulatory approvals, joint ventures, commodity sales, processing and transportation arrangements, infrastructure and project development relating to oil and gas, coal, minerals and water. He has had major roles in some of the most significant M&A and infrastructure transactions in recent years in the energy and resources industry. He has also helped in some of the largest oil, gas, and coal projects in Australia.

Alison Close, Major projects and construction, Melbourne

Close is an expert in managing technically complex construction disputes. She has extensive experience in major projects in a range of industries, including transport, oil and gas, aviation, and utilities. She is known for her technical expertise and the rapport she builds with technical and commercial disciplines, the firm said.

Chris Davis, Public sector, Canberra

Davis’ practice covers all aspects of acquisition and support, including contract development, tendering, contract management, and disputes. He combines his deep understanding of key issues – including pricing, performance, risk, IP, and liability – and Commonwealth procurement policy in his practice, the firm said.

Keshni Maharaj, Tax, Sydney

Maharaj has more than 15 years’ experience in advising on the application of the stamp duty regimes across all eight states and territories has acted on some of the largest and most complex transactions in Australia. She is known for both her technical skills and for understanding the business needs of clients in providing commercially pragmatic advice, Clayton Utz said. She works on a wide range of M&A transactions, major projects, and equity capital markets deals. She also helps resolve disputes with state and territory revenue authorities.

Eva Oraham, Real estate, Sydney

Oraham is a sought-after transactional lawyer who has advised on some of the largest real estate deals in the country because of her “commercial acumen, calm demeanour and ability to think laterally,” Clayton Utz said. Her work has included advising on acquisition and disposal of office, industrial, retail and other commercial properties, as well as project development and structuring. She has also advised on complex title matters and major private forestry deals. She also advises institutional investors, asset and fund managers, listed and unlisted entities, and government agencies.

Walid Sukari, IP and technology, Sydney

Sukari pre-empts and navigates critical issues and provides reasonable and commercially-focused advice that mitigates key risks in complex IT, media, and telecoms matters. He also specialises in structuring tailored and complex contract documentation in these transactions, the firm said. He has advised on large tenders and procurements, complex outsourcing arrangements, media-rights sales, software and IP licensing, telecoms, infrastructure, and technology-focused corporate matters.

Joel von Thien, Competition, Sydney

With more than 15 years’ experience, von Thien is mainly focused on complex commercial contracting, projects, corporate advisory, and transactions in the telecoms, technology, logistics, and infrastructure sectors. He has advised government bodies, major businesses, and fund managers. He is a key adviser to several of the most significant clients of the firm, Clayton Utz said. His practice covers complex supply contracting, access agreements, joint ventures and licencing, and distribution arrangements.

(L-R, T-B): Owen Bourke, Ben Cansdale, Alison Close, Chris Davis, Keshni Maharaj, Eva Oraham, Walid Sukari, and Joel von Thien