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Clayton Utz is pleased to announce nine new vertical partner promotions, effective 1 January 2023.
Chief Executive Partner Bruce Cooper said:
We welcome Kate, Lindsey, Nick, Craig, Jerome, Steve, Gavin, Allison and Emily to the partnership. Their promotions reflect their resilience and long commitment to legal excellence for the benefit of our clients and our profession. We look forward to their continued success as the next generation of partners of our firm.
The new partners are (in alphabetical order):
Kate Casellas, Banking & Finance
Kate joined our firm in Perth in 2010, having spent four years working as a banking and projects lawyer in Singapore. She advises clients on a broad range of financing transactions, with a specific focus on project financing and transactions within the resources sector.
"I enjoy the collaborative approach that Clayton Utz encourages among our teams – I have been lucky enough to work on a number of large transactions involving many different practice groups and offices, and clients really value the way that we can work seamlessly as one CU team."
Lindsey Cregan, Commercial Litigation
Lindsey began her CU career in Sydney as a junior lawyer in 2006, after relocating from Perth. She is a commercial litigator whose practice primarily involves acting in complex disputes for a diverse range of private and public sector clients. Lindsey also has particular experience in financial services disputes and regulatory matters, as well as in defamation and reputation management.
“I’m so proud to be a Clayton Utz lawyer and to work with so many amazing people – both our clients and my colleagues. It is exciting to join the partnership: I can build on the ways I can contribute to our firm’s success, including through my role in developing the lawyers who will follow in my footsteps.”
Nicholas Fletcher, Competition
Nick joined us in 2017 from NBN Co and specialises in advising infrastructure clients in regulated industries on front-end transactions and project delivery. He works closely with owners and operators of regulated infrastructure and, with the benefit of his in-house and commercial management experience, is well placed to advise on the entire lifecycle of infrastructure assets.
“To me, Clayton Utz is an entrepreneurial organisation where original ideas are encouraged and rewarded. That’s what excites me about being a part of this firm and the opportunity to become a partner. I share that entrepreneurial spirit and can’t wait to get started in this next stage of my career.”
Craig Hine, Banking and Finance
Having spent over a decade at CU, Craig specialises in financial services regulation, and regularly acts for banks, non-bank lenders, insurers and other financial services providers in regulatory investigations and to provide regulatory compliance advice.
“The people at Clayton Utz make it an exceptional place to work. I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the firm in 2011 and am now even more grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its ongoing success as a partner.”
Jerome Martin, Real Estate
Jerome joined our firm in 2014, with a passion for property, architecture and good design. He is a real estate specialist, with a focus on large-scale sales and acquisitions, portfolio transactions, fund through deals, development and complex leasing. His work spans all major asset classes, including commercial office, industrial and retail assets.
“I feel a sense of belonging at Clayton Utz. It’s a place that cultivates legal excellence, but also genuinely celebrates diversity and inclusion, invests in its people and encourages giving back to our communities. I think that’s what really sets us apart. I’m lucky to come to work each day feeling empowered and engaged, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to make a difference for our clients and our people.”
Stephen Neale, Corporate, M&A and Capital Markets
Stephen began his career with us as a winter clerk in 2005, joining the graduate program in 2006. A corporate lawyer who specialises in M&A and securities law, he is a trusted adviser to boards and senior management of publicly listed and private companies on their activities in Australia and overseas. He has leading expertise in public and private M&A and equity capital markets, as well as corporate governance, regulatory compliance issues, commercial and contractual matters, strategic advice and risk management.
"I really enjoy working with our clients, and the interesting and diverse range of work I get to do – there's never a dull day. It’s a great team environment at CU, with exceptionally smart and talented people all working together to help our clients achieve their goals."
Gavin Phillips, Major Projects & Construction
Gavin joined Clayton Utz in 2012. He is a front-end construction and major projects lawyer who works with both public and private sector clients. Gavin works with clients delivering a range of major road, rail and infrastructure projects.
“We help our clients deliver projects that are transforming the environments in which people live and work, and I’m proud of that. I am fortunate to work with a great group of intelligent, hard-working colleagues, in an inclusive down-to-earth environment that is unique to our firm. It means a lot to become a partner here.”
Allison Shannon, Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety
Allison has practised at CU for over a decade. She specialises in all aspects of employment and industrial relations law and works closely with both public and private sector clients across a range of industries. Allison has particular experience in employment and industrial related litigation and disputes work, disability discrimination, complex complaints management and workplace investigations.
“I am excited to become a partner of a firm that truly values and invests in its people from both a wellbeing and development perspective; a firm that really gets to know our clients, their business and their needs and works pro-actively with them to provide solutions and deliver high-quality legal advice; and a firm with a genuine desire and commitment to give back through our pro bono practice and other community engagement initiatives.”
Emily Tranter, Commercial Litigation
Emily started her career with us in 2007 and has worked in both our Brisbane and Sydney offices. She is a commercial litigator who advises both public and private sector clients across the spectrum of disputes, with a particular focus on complex commercial disputes, public inquiries, regulatory investigations and emerging climate related risks.
“Clayton Utz has given me incredible opportunities and provided me with supportive and inspiring mentors throughout my career. As I step into this next phase, I’m excited to support the continued growth of our fantastic team and collaborate further with our clients to provide innovative solutions to managing disputes.”