Media release: Clayton Utz partners James Neil and Samy Mansour recognised at 2026 Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year awards

James Neil, who took out the IP Partner of the Year category, said that the win is a testament to his team who are "constantly thriving for excellence in everything they do, and always doing their best to make our clients' lives easier and better."

In 2026, he successfully continued to lead a broad IP practice, handling major disputes over trade marks, copyright, patents, and designs, managing key trade mark portfolios for top Australian brands, advising on IP issues in new technologies like AI, and supporting clients with their marketing and advertising campaigns.

Samy Mansour, who was named Corporate Partner of the Year, said the award was an acknowledgment of "the great clients we have, and the great work by my team and the broader Clayton Utz corporate team."

Samy advised on a series of landmark deals in 2026, spanning multiple sectors and jurisdictions. His work was across the full spectrum of complex M&A, joint ventures and divestments - spanning technology, retail, energy, resources, infrastructure and transport.

James and Samy were among six finalists from our firm, including Alexandra Tighe (Litigation), Adrian Kuti (Competition), Amy Carseldine (Native Title) and Sian Ooi (New Partner).

Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year awards

Held annually, the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year awards highlight "professional development and innovation, showcasing the individuals who are leading the way in the industry".