Paul Sutherland
Head of Communications •
Melbourne
Media release: Clayton Utz promotes five to partnership
1 minute
Clayton Utz has announced the promotion of five senior lawyers to its partnership, effective 1 July 2026.
The firm's newest partners are: Mariam Azzo, Lisa Houston, Sarah Jones, Sheena McKie and Jonathon McRostie. Their appointments strengthen the firm's leadership across M&A, public sector advisory, and restructuring and insolvency disputes across four offices: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra.
Clayton Utz Chief Executive Partner Emma Covacevich said:
"Each of these five lawyers brings a genuine commitment to solving complex problems for our clients. Their promotion to the partnership recognises years of exceptional work and the trust they have earned from the people and organisations they advise."
"What stands out about this group is the diversity of their experience — from advising on transformative transactions and navigating regulatory frameworks in the aviation and infrastructure sectors, to pioneering work in impact investing and managing high-stakes disputes. That breadth is a hallmark of our firm and our partnership.
"I congratulate Mariam, Lisa, Sarah, Sheena and Jonathon on this exciting step in their careers. It's a pleasure to welcome them to the partnership."
Mariam advises Australian and international clients on complex corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate governance across sectors such as infrastructure, energy, resources, manufacturing and transport. Mariam also has a focus on the rapidly expanding impact investing sector and, as a Partner based in Sydney, will head the firm's impact investing practice, drawing on her M&A experience, her qualification in sustainable capitalism from UC Berkeley School of Law and her local and international experience in social justice and child protection.
Lisa is a Brisbane-based transactional and corporate advisory lawyer with expertise across a wide range of industries and sectors. She specialises in private and public mergers and acquisitions, as well as equity capital markets. Lisa regularly advises Australian and international clients on complex Australian corporate law, ASX Listing Rules, corporate governance, and Takeovers Panel matters.
Based in our Canberra office, Sarah advises both public and private sector clients on a broad range of regulatory matters and in the delivery of major infrastructure projects. Sarah has a particular interest in the aviation industry, with a focus on airport infrastructure. She regularly advises airport operators, government agencies, and private investors on the complex regulatory, planning, and commercial frameworks that govern airport development and operations.
Sheena specialises in product regulatory advisory work and products class actions and has expertise in the intricate regulatory frameworks and legislation for consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies. Based in Sydney, Sheena advises domestic and international clients on a range of product regulatory, product safety and recall issues, as well as matters unique to the life sciences industry, such as pricing and reimbursement.
Based in Melbourne, Jonathon is a disputes and restructuring and insolvency specialist, with expertise in insolvency and complex commercial litigation. Jonathon acts for insolvency practitioners, banks, company officers, secured and unsecured creditors on all aspects of restructuring and insolvency matters, including receiverships, voluntary administration, liquidation and personal bankruptcy. Jonathon advises clients on managing high-profile commercial disputes, and regularly acts for clients in State Supreme Courts and the Federal Court of Australia.
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Disclaimer
Clayton Utz communications are intended to provide commentary and general information. They should not be relied upon as legal advice. Formal legal advice should be sought in particular transactions or on matters of interest arising from this communication. Persons listed may not be admitted in all States and Territories.