Emma began her career with Clayton Utz in 1999 as an articled clerk in our Brisbane office and was promoted to partner in 2007, then based in Melbourne. She has built a successful career in energy and resources law, which has included a two-year stint as General Counsel of Australia Pacific LNG. For the past two and a half years, Emma has led our client relationship and engagement strategy as Deputy Chief Executive – Clients and Markets. She also leads our energy transition offering, a critical role in meeting the needs of our clients.
Clayton Utz Board Chair Karen O’Flynn said Emma was well placed to lead our firm through its next stage of growth. “Emma has grown up with Clayton Utz and understands intimately what it takes to build a successful practice, as well as a successful business. She has demonstrated a keen strategic understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our clients, and the leadership capabilities that will be required to respond to these.”
She added: “We congratulate Emma on her appointment, which represents both a significant milestone for her, and for our firm, as the first female CEP in Clayton Utz’s history.”
Karen also acknowledged and thanked Bruce Cooper for his leadership. “Bruce took on the CEP role at a challenging time given the pandemic, and has led with confidence, decisiveness, and innovative thinking in how we engage our clients and our people. We are grateful for his contribution as CEP and for his previous two terms as Deputy CEP – Clients and Markets, when our business experienced considerable growth. He has contributed to the firm’s continued growth and evolution in so many ways.”
The Board, Bruce and Emma will work closely in 2023 to ensure a smooth transition of the firm’s senior leadership.