Media release: Clayton Utz welcomes Bryn Hardcastle and Dave Filov to its partnership

Bryn Hardcastle and Dave Filov will join the Clayton Utz partnership from Allens.

Clayton Utz Chief Executive Partner, Emma Covacevich, said the appointments meet growing demand for ECM capabilities in WA and around the country.

"Bryn and Dave are outstanding additions to our partnership. Their experience will deepen our ability to support companies navigating complex, high-value transactions, particularly across the resources and energy sectors."

She added that Mark Malinas, also joining from Allens, will start as Clayton Utz’s new Head of Private Equity in early February.

"We are excited to start 2026 with this coordinated investment in our corporate capabilities."

Bryn is a partner and co-head of the Equity Capital Markets team at Allens. He is recognised as one of Perth’s leading ECM and corporate advisers, with longstanding relationships across ASX-listed and global mining companies and deep experience in critical minerals. He advises on complex, high-value transactions including takeovers, mergers, strategic investments and sell-downs, often in contested or market-sensitive situations.

Dave is a counsel at Allens with deep experience advising ASX-listed mining and resources companies on equity capital markets, governance and regulatory compliance. A former Principal Adviser in the ASX Listings Compliance unit, he has acted on major placements, IPOs, dual listings, M&A, reverse takeovers and secondary capital raisings across the sector.

Clayton Utz Partner in Charge in Perth, David Benson, said the appointments reflect greater demand in the WA market.

"Bryn has unparalleled legal expertise in critical minerals – a high-growth sector and area of major importance in the WA market – while Dave is involved in the rewriting of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code, giving him unique insight into mineral reporting standards and their practical application for listed resources companies."

"Clayton Utz has a long and proud history of entrepreneurial spirit and providing specialist legal services in the WA market, and with these appointments we're now even better positioned to support our clients as private capital flows in mining and resources continue to grow."

Both Bryn and Dave will start with Clayton Utz in the coming months.