These five new additions in Melbourne and Sydney join from Clyde & Co
Sparke Helmore has announced that partner Matt Ellis and his team of four lawyers have joined the firm’s corporate and commercial team across its Melbourne and Sydney offices. The five new additions join from Clyde & Co.
Julien Castaldi, Sparke Helmore’s national practice group leader for corporate and commercial, welcomed the five lawyers to the firm. “We’re delighted that Matt is bringing a high-calibre team with him,” Castaldi said in Sparke Helmore’s media release.
“I am pleased to enter the next phase of my career with Sparke Helmore,” Ellis said in the media release. “It was important for me and my team to join a full-service law firm known for its culture of collaboration and collegiality, and one with a clearly defined strategy for growth and success.”
Ellis, who has over two decades of experience in the insurance sector, has worked in both the Australian and London markets. He has dealt with matters involving insurance and financial services regulation across product, conduct, and prudential regulation.
His knowledge covers life insurance sectors and all facets of conducting an insurance business, including acquisitions and divestments of insurance and insurance intermediary businesses, insurance business transfers, complex reinsurance transactions, and insurance sector regulatory approval processes.
Ellis has advised principally insurance sector clients on corporate transactions and reorganisations, regulatory compliance, insurance and reinsurance, governance, and risk management. He has assisted underwriters with the risks involved in M&A transactions and coverage under warranty and indemnity insurance.
He has helped clients navigate the regulatory reform agenda in Australia, including compliance with the financial accountability regime, CPS230 (operational risk management), and Australian financial services licensing and compliance.
Ellis has also assisted clients with breach investigation and reporting, response to regulatory investigations, and prudential regulatory compliance, including material outsourcing, governance, and remuneration.
“Matt’s reputation is unparalleled and he is known for his deep expertise and high-quality service to his clients,” Castaldi said in Sparke Helmore’s media release. “His know-how will allow us to expand the services we provide to our clients and support the continued growth of our Corporate & Commercial practice and create a seamless alignment with our colleagues in Commercial Insurance.”
“This opportunity allows me to continue with both my corporate and insurance sector focus and to deliver for our clients across the complex transactional and regulatory work we do,” Ellis said in Sparke Helmore’s media release.
The firm described Ellis as an active leader within the insurance community. He has been a national board member of the Australian Insurance Lawyers Association (AILA), a member of the AILA’s Victorian Committee, and a committee member of the Victorian Reinsurance Discussion Group.
