Corrs Brisbane's partner-in-charge joins JWS

Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s (Corrs) partner-in-charge for Brisbane Helen Clarke has joined Johnson Winter & Slattery (JWS), expanding the latter’s TMT offering.

Clarke will be added to JWS’ partnership in Brisbane effective Monday.

“Australia’s technology sector is booming. Our firm has a very strong reputation in this area, with a particular focus on major technology projects and large tech M&A. Helen is an extremely well-regarded TMT lawyer. Having her on board will deepen our expertise and support the continued growth of our team,” managing partner Jeremy Davis said.

Clarke is regarded among the leading TMT, data privacy and IP lawyers in Australia. Her practice concentrates on digital transformation, technology procurement, data privacy, cyber security and technology driven transactions.

Her clients include major private sector and government clients in the health, financial services, telecommunications, education and energy and resources industries. While at Corrs, she was also part of its Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Clarke’s hire follows the appointment of regulatory specialist Jennifer Dean, also from Corrs, who joined JWS as a special counsel in the Sydney office on 31 January.

Dean’s practice includes a variety of contentious and non-contentious matters involving competition law, regulated access to infrastructure and telecommunications and broadcasting regulation. She has advised numerous clients across the TMT sectors on Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) merger clearance processes, ACCC inquiries and investigations, anti-competitive conduct issues, cartel matters, joint ventures and consumer law matters.

She has also acted for clients in relation to regulated access to infrastructure and services and sector-specific regulation. For her strong regulatory expertise, Dean received recognition in the Legal 500 Asia-Pacific Rankings as one of Australia’s top rising stars in the areas of media and entertainment and data protection.

She is an active member of the Communications and Media Law Association, which brings together a wide range of people, such as lawyers, journalists, broadcasters, politicians, publishers and scholars, interested in law and policy relating to communications and the media.

“We have an extremely strong regulatory practice and are especially known for our work advising on high profile competition clearances and investigations arising out of the Hayne Royal Commission,” managing partner Jeremy Davis said. “Jennifer’s appointment will see us deepen our regulatory expertise in the TMT sectors.”