Corrs Chambers Westgarth > Perth, Australia > Firm Profile

‘The firm is uniquely placed to project manage large-scale regulatory investigations and legal proceedings. The firm has a dedicated talent pool to readily draw from, including a team of paralegals and legal technology experts, to support large-scale matters. The legal technology team is able to set up secure document transfer to a Corrs’ portal to streamline the process of document review and cataloging.’

‘The firm’s practice consists of a highly skilled team of lawyers, senior associates and partners that take time to intimately understand client concerns and business operations for matters they support. Lawyers have diversity in skills to pivot across multiple aspects of a matter (eg financial data analysis) and are reliable with communication and work output. The firm’s practice adopts a collaborative and collegial approach to managing client matters and expectations. Of most help has been the firm’s ability to update clients on regulatory and legal developments on a needs basis (non-billable service) and provide a direct line of communication to present to a client’s Executive leadership team. ’

‘Richard Flitcroft is a stand-out legal professional. He approaches matters with a strong understanding of the key legal risks at hand and is pragmatic when advising on strategies for clients.

‘Richard is personable, readily available, and an absolute pleasure to work with. ’

‘The premier FIRB practice in Australia. They have a wealth of experience practicing before FIRB and approach every situation with a commercial and practical mindset. ’

‘Lizzie Knight is brilliant and adept at briefing private equity and other complex transaction structures to FIRB. She is excellent at calibrating engagement and communications with FIRB to produce exceptional outcomes.’

‘The team are well regarded in the sector and bring to the table diverse experience and well balanced legal advice and guidance. They are open to debate, understanding and challenging client risk and advocating for streamlined solutions.’

‘Excellent, deep and holistic subject matter expertise. The firm has a broad range and level of experience which provides for a sound client outcome. The team are highly intelligent and motivated to provide our organization the best possible advice and guidance.’

‘Eugenia Kolivos is an expert in this field and takes a commercial view to ensure the advice is tailored to our business.’

‘Their strengths lie in their expertise of the law and how the law can be applied in a commercial setting. They are exceptionally responsive, take the time to understand the problem we are solving for and provide tailored commercial advice.’

‘Phil Catania is an absolute expert in privacy, data and cyber who is exceptionally well connected in Australia and overseas. He is very proactive, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and approachable. He goes to great lengths to understand client needs and deliver.’

‘Corrs have their finger on the pulse – with broad and deep legal, regulatory and commercial knowledge, but a good eye to what is likely coming in Australia in the future.’

‘A very strong, experienced team with great depth. Team members display strong initiative, excellent project management and clear communication. Able to deliver high quality work on a short timeframe. ’

‘Joshua Paffey is one of the leaders in international arbitration in Australia and, on top of maintaining an active practice, also contributes his time to the profession and enhancing Australia’s reputation for international arbitration.’

‘Mark Wilks and David Anthony are very responsive to client needs, while able to project manage very large and complex cases in a manner that allows them to be run through an arbitration without a hitch. ’

‘Corrs are becoming the leading arbitration practice in Australia. They work across multiple sectors and achieve excellent outcomes for clients. Their strong international connections and lack of conflicts are particularly useful for cross-border disputes.’

‘The Corrs arbitration team are highly collegiate and passionate about what they do. This makes them stand out from other firms.’

‘Joshua Paffey is well-known in arbitration circles and is a name frequently considered by clients when it comes to high-profile arbitrations. He is highly articulate and personable.’

‘Well led, cohesive team structure, good relations with counsel and client.’

‘Very experienced partners heading the arbitration team, many with international experience.’

‘The team communicates well and provides advice that is balanced and takes account of cultural issues in different organisations.’

‘Simon Johnson and Frieda Chan are basically a dream team for handling commercial disputes. Simon is unflappable in a crisis, and his deftness in dispute handling strategy can make even the most dire situation feel calmly surmountable. Frieda, similarly, is an even keel, giving excellent and thorough commercial advice. She easily sees through to the heart of the issues and how to resolve them in the most effective manner.’

‘The Dispute resolution team at Corrs provide expert and timely advice. The team are always available and deliver advice that integrates client strategy with legal nous. The team is particularly conscious of providing support that is culturally sensitive and are open to engaging with clients to ensure their services are tailored to exactly what the client needs.’

‘The Corrs litigation practice are recognised as market leaders in this area. They routinely work on high profile and extremely complex matters and have the depth to manage multiple large matters at any one particular time.’

‘Mark Wilks is a standout litigator with exceptional commercial nous. For someone working on some of the largest and most complex matters in the country, Mark is always approachable and down to earth. He has a presence that commands the room which is extremely useful when negotiating/settling outcomes on matters.’

‘The team is excellent. It is a well-oiled machine.’

‘Chris Pagent is a deep thinker who is also highly commercial, and achieves great results. Katrina Sleiman is an excellent junior partner, meticulous grasp of the detail, very easy to work with. Frieda Chan is a very high performing senior member of the team, capably takes the running on complex and high value cases.’

‘The team at Corrs are extremely responsive and have a depth of resources available to address any problem at any time. There is never any hesitation for the primary partner to dial in other parts of the team where needed.’

‘Partner accessibility, responsiveness, commercial advice, depth of industry knowledge.’

‘Excellent depth of team and industry knowledge. Corrs are able to mobilise large teams to handle large and tricky matters.’

‘Matthew Muir is highly engaged with the market my company operates within and is generally across areas of interest before we are. Matt’s commercial acumen and broad experience is a highly valuable commodity to be leveraged when providing counsel on large international projects and commercial disputes.’

‘Corrs Chambers Westgarth approach every matter, irrespective of complexity or how big/small the engagement, with absolute professionalism. They showed exceptional subject matter expertise, while being engaged on very different matters, engaging the right specialists in-house. Corrs simplified their engagement in terms of billing, looking for the solutions that first met their clients’ needs.’

‘Chris Ryder is an exceptional problem solver. Chris is able to think ten moves ahead to take the best position on a matter.’

‘Andrew Stephenson is an encyclopaedia of construction law, with deep strategic insights. Andrew understands all of the levers that are available to resolve matters, and the potential pitfalls, and importantly, how to avoid them.’

‘Andrew Stephenson is technically brilliant but what makes him unique is his ability to build high-performing teams. There is excellent integration between lawyers and counsel which leads to a good working environment and ultimately a better result for the client.’

‘The standout partner is Joseph Barbaro. Joe instils a trust and confidence in the client. Able to make himself available for key activities and meets the expectation of the client in this space with consideration for balancing the expertise requirements at each stage.’

‘Corrs IP team has a real depth of experience and an excellent client base. I would single out Stephen Stern in Melbourne and Odette Gourley in Sydney.’

‘High capabilities in all patent work, especially biotech and pharmaceutical matters as well as trade mark litigation.’

‘Corrs Chambers Westgarth is one of the top practices in the Australian IP litigation market. The size and breadth of the team is excellent, particularly the quality of the talent.’

‘Grant Fisher is accompanied by experienced partners who have a lot of experience in pharma / life sciences litigation,’

‘Stephen Stern is a superb lawyer who has a vast depth of industry experience and passion for his clients and their businesses. His strategic approach to litigation and TMT disputes is second to none.’

‘Eugenia Kolivos is impressive and someone who you can put in front of any client without hesitation.’

‘David Fixler is another stand out lawyer who ensures a technical and commercial balance is provided on all advice.’

‘Our principal contact at Corrs Chambers Westgarth is Odette Gourley. Her knowledge of trade mark law in Australia and elsewhere, as well has her long experience, have made her an excellent adviser.’

‘Highly experienced team, used team resources effectively to deliver a cost-efficient service. Great focus on our commercial outcomes and designing the best way to achieve this. Excellent collaboration with our commercial team and stakeholders from client side.’

‘James North is excellent – focus on commerciality and cost-effectiveness on a large deal. Had a strong team to support him, delivering a comprehensive service offering.’

‘The Corrs Chambers Westgarth Labour and employment practice team are experts in the field. The team continually update us about the latest developments in law and practice.’

‘Responsive and commercial.’

‘Well informed, hard-working and keep to timeframes, responsive and reasonably priced services. All levels of the team are across the subject area.’

‘Paul Burns – expert in his area, pragmatic & commercial, informed, responsive and puts good and capable people in his team on matters.’

‘All around, a very good team.’

‘The team has deep capability across levels and continues to provide access to partners and senior associates as required.’

‘Clare Corke is a very astute lawyer who delivers a good legal service.’

‘Excellent client service, intuition, and forward planning.’

‘The team has a good range of skills in all of the areas of real estate.’

‘Corrs delivers excellent results in a timely and efficient manner. They always retain a commercial focus when negotiating.’

‘A dedicated team of diverse professionals. They are the best in class in their field and they give very commercial advice.’

‘They are a joy to work with and I always feel like a part of the team.’

‘Paul Carrick embodies commercial acumen, and his availability and communication with clients is a big strength.’

‘Penelope McCawley is technically brilliant and an outstanding project manager.’

‘Nathaniel Popelianski is exceptional to work with.’

‘A very strong team who provide sound commercial advice. They offer solutions appropriate to the scale of the issue and collaborate well with other advisors and specialists within their firm.’

‘I know that they have my interests at heart and that they will strive to deliver the best commercial outcome which may not necessarily be the same as the best fee outcome for their firm.’

‘Incredibly collaborative firm.’

‘Cameron Cheetham – very commercial and deals with matters in a way that is entirely focused on reaching the right outcomes. ’

‘High quality, commercial, responsive with a strong depth’

‘Excellent balance of commercial and technical.’

‘Their support and guidance throughout the process has been invaluable.’

‘Megan Russell has been our main contact with various support staff along the way. She is very approachable and always available and patient in explaining technical issues. Megan is great at following up and moving an issue along.’

‘Corrs Chambers Westgarth have been our banking and finance legal advisors for many years. Their commerciality, thoughtfulness and proactivity sets them apart. They are up-to-date on relevant topics and efficient in their delivery of advice.’

‘Everyone in the team is highly capable, personable and wonderful to work with. Communications are very clear and easy to understand for non-lawyers! The status of a transaction, and what is expected from the next steps, is articulated clearly. ‘

‘The skill set and reliability and access to the right team and people is strong.’

‘Proactive and client focused.’

‘Corrs have a strong national practice with key partners in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane offices in particular.’

‘Corrs Chambers Westgarth is our preferred Corporate and M&A legal advisor. We have worked with their core team for a number of years. Their commerciality, creativity and ability to put themselves in their clients’ shoes sets them apart.’

‘Collaborative.’

‘Adam Foreman and Sandy Mak are leaders in their field; highly responsive, engaged, thoughtful and precise.’

‘Good balance of skills and expertise across the team.’

‘The team is extremely competent and well resourced, covering all skill sets, from pure litigation skills to subject matter expertise.’

‘Chris Pagent is the market leader. His strategic insight is second to none, brought about by the fact that he has acted for respondents in major litigation and is therefore able to see complex matters from both sides.’

‘Corrs has reinvigorated their energy team, with the timely hire of Tracey Greenaway. They now have a well-balanced energy and resources team that is capable of competing with more established firms in this space.’

‘Superior industry knowledge and experience.’

‘Highly pragmatic and focused on finding simple solutions to complex issues.’

‘Peter Jarosek consistently provides commercially sensible advice and great outcomes.’

‘Tracey Greenaway is a strong performer with deep knowledge of the oil gas sector in particular’

‘Tracey Greenaway is a very safe pair of hands. Peter Jarosek also has a lot of experience in this area.’

‘Excellent understanding of our business with excellent response times. All round top quality service.’

‘The team are leading experts in their field. They have a deep understanding of our business’ needs.’

 ‘Their collaboration, depth of knowledge throughout the team, and commercial sense sets the Corrs team apart.’

‘The team has an in-depth level of knowledge of planning legislation and they use this to their advantage.’

‘Corrs are experts in navigating and resolving complex issues, together with having the relationships with many industry professionals.’

‘Louise Camenzuli is one of the most passionate and client focused lawyers I have worked with. I had full faith and trust in her capability to get an outcome.’

‘Max Newman is clearly very knowledgeable and always provides information in a way that is readily understandable and well thought through.’

‘Louise Camenzuli and Max Newman are incredibly responsive, great at communicating their availability, and reliable when it comes to delivering on what and when.’

‘Louise and her team are absolute professionals and experts in all planning law matters.’

‘The Corrs Chambers Westgarth financial services team is highly adaptable to the financial services legislation/regulation in our industry.’

‘The team is commercially minded and has assisted our business in striving to find a practical solution to regulatory issues and concerns.’

‘The Corrs team is undoubtedly a leader in this space in Australia.’

‘Fadi Khoury is an approachable and accessible partner who is responsive and efficient. We have been impressed with Fadi’s wide reach impacting the financial services regulatory space, in particular, within our industry.’

‘I work with a variety of legal advisers from diverse backgrounds, but one standout individual who has consistently impressed is Brendon Clarke. He is unwaveringly calm under pressure and is an adviser you want in your corner to reassure internal stakeholders when the stakes are high.’

‘The ‘go to’ experts in financial services regulation. Proven performers in being able to develop from scratch practical solutions to the new problems. Willing to roll their sleeves up and work collaboratively.’

‘Fadi Khoury is at the top of his field.’

‘Corrs provides us with a one stop shop in terms of a commercial law firm offering. The firm is a premium independent law firm and enjoys strong relationships with other independent law firms across the globe which has been beneficial for us in terms of our footprint in other jurisdictions in APAC, Europe and the US. ’

‘Strong knowledge of the issues. Great pro-bono support. Very responsive.’

‘Responsive, professional and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Dedication to their clients. Poise and balance in all matters of support. Wide spread of expert partners across many fields of law.’

‘Expertise. Responsiveness. Courteousy. Patience.’

‘Strengths include technical abilities. ’

‘The practice is uniquely placed to support large-scale regulatory and litigation matters due to the extensive pool of talent it can readily draw from, including paralegals and legal technology experts. The practice has lawyers who are highly skilled in identifying key legal risks associated with investigations involving white collar crime. ’

‘Simon Johnson is extremely responsive and pragmatic. A pleasure to work with.’

‘Client focused, very knowledgeable and hard working. ’

‘Up to date on all the latest happenings and able to give strong legal advice with an excellent strategic angle. ’

‘High quality technical analysis with a good commercial overlay’

‘Corrs takes a collaborative approach to the services they provide from an internal/firm resources perspective and in terms of the client having input on the legal process. ’

‘The team is always eager to help and go out of their way to make themselves available when it suits the client. Abigail Gill has been a standout. ’

‘Catherine Oldenburg came as a recommendation and we were very pleased with her work. Catherine is a diligent, responsive and skilled practitioner in complex insurance matters. Her legal advice was clear, commercial and succinct and gave our business the clarity it needed to make a decision. We would highly recommend engaging her on future matters.’

‘Collaboration, technical and commercial experience, responsiveness, accountability.’

‘I have worked with Catherine Oldenburg who has been exceptional in her role in client delivery. Catherine was professional, showed strong technical knowledge and capabilities, was commercial and had the ability to respond and understand complex scenarios in a short time frame which allowed us to achieve an optimal outcome.’

‘Jim Micallef is exceptional.’