SPB builds up global construction and engineering practice with new partner

Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) has built up its construction and engineering practice with the hire of a new Perth-based partner.

Donna Charlesworth founded Clayton Utz’s public sector team in Perth in 2018, which she also headed. She also practiced within the top firm’s major projects and construction group.

She has tackled construction, engineering, maintenance and operation and offtake contracts related to significant projects not just in Australia but also in Asia and the Middle East. She has worked with clients from the infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, water, transportation and commercial development sectors.

Her clients include private and government entities.

“Major projects are increasingly global in scope, and in joining Squire Patton Boggs, I will be able to offer clients the international coverage and support that they demand,” Charlesworth said.

SPB construction and engineering partner Tom Wilson said that Charlesworth’s expertise complemented the group’s expanding team, which included the appointment of DWF alumnus Brent Henderson as a partner in Sydney.

“With someone of Donna’s calibre adding additional expertise and hands-on experience we can expand capacity to assist clients and those seeking market-leading support for their projects,” said Perth managing partner Tony Chong, who also leads the SPB’s Australian Asia desk.

Chong pointed to Charlesworth’s strong reputation in the front-end advisory space as an asset that he said would bolster the firm’s overall offering.

“Our construction and projects team, which operates across all three Australian offices, and in tandem with the firm’s global network, is recognised as one of the best in the region,” Chong said. “Donna’s appointment reflects the firm’s continued growth; we have been hiring to ensure capacity keeps pace with demand.”