Heading up the group is ex-WA State Solicitor Paul D. Evans
A Perth-based team of disputes lawyers from US BigLaw firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan have made the jump to HFW Australia.
The team is headed by senior partner and ex-WA State Solicitor Paul D. Evans, who helped establish Quinn Emanuel’s Perth branch in 2017. The group includes special counsel Peter Sadler, senior associate Monika Mečević and consultant Dr Elise Bant.
“The development of our Perth office and disputes offering are key elements of our growth strategy in Australia. Paul is widely recognised as being one of Australia's leading litigators and brings a wealth of experience in commercial disputes, as well as in energy and resources and construction, which are core industry sectors for HFW globally,” HFW Australia managing partner Gavin Vallely said.
Evans has tackled complex commercial litigation for over 35 years, working on disputes in the energy and resources sector such as large oil and gas construction litigation and pricing arbitrations. He concentrates on disputes related to corporate governance, transactions and takeovers, and competition and economic law.
His stint as WA state solicitor lasted more than five years; during this time, he helmed a team of over 200. He oversaw major civil and regulatory matters like key aspects of the Bell Litigation.
Evans was also a partner at the firm now known as Herbert Smith Freehills (formerly Freehills).
Sadler is an international arbitration specialist who has also worked in Slaughter and May’s London office, while Mečević once handled large insolvency matters for Dechert in London. Bant is a professor of private law and commercial regulation at The University of Western Australia and a professorial fellow at The University of Melbourne.
All three have worked with Evans previously.
“There's a real buzz around HFW in Australia at the moment – the firm is clearly in growth mode and has several outstanding lawyers who are recognised leaders in their areas. It is an exciting environment to be joining,” Evans said. “HFW has a really interesting mix of genuine sector expertise particularly relevant to the resources industry in WA and a truly integrated global litigation offering. I am looking forward to working with the partners in Australia and the firm's disputes teams globally to maximise the benefits presented by the firm's international footprint.”