Energy & Natural Resources
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 9225 5000About
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Herbert Smith Freehills is a leader in Australian energy and mining, with a deep network of specialists that live and breathe these sectors. Our full-service offering, intrinsic understanding of market practice, and extensive global platform has seen us act on some of the most innovative and first-of-kind deals in Australia and beyond; and support our diverse portfolio of clients through their most complex challenges.
We are known for our:
- unrivalled expertise in all facets of energy transition, including energy security, new energy and decarbonisation initiatives, and the rapidly evolving critical minerals landscape;
- seamless integration of our mining and energy expertise, allowing our clients to benefit from a vast network of experience;
- work in tackling the big issues within these industries, helping to drive market reform; and
- unrivalled sub-sector specialty across each of mining, oil & gas, and power, and covering the full project lifecycle – including all commodities, renewables and battery storage, hydrogen, pumped hydro and clean energy.
Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills' substantial and impressive team offers specialist expertise in all practice sub-areas and is regularly engaged by blue-chip clients. The practice is further noted for its provision of entire life-cycle support to energy and resources projects and full engagement with transactional, operational and contentious issues, supported, where required, by relevant expertise from the firm's corporate and disputes practices. The group also incorporates a regional renewables team, with increasing experience in innovative clean energy projects.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised QIC private capital on its agreement with Vector to buy 50% of Vector's New Zealand and Australia smart metering business.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"If you have a team of the calibre of HSF on your side, the team on the other side will be persuaded."
"Herbert Smith Freehills has a very client-focused ethos and its responsiveness across partners and practice areas is much appreciated."
"HSF is particularly effective in distilling unwieldy and complex matters into more digestible decision-making advice. Its highly commercial and efficient approach instils confidence."
"If you have a team of the calibre of HSF on your side, the team on the other side will be persuaded."
"Herbert Smith Freehills has a very client-focused ethos and its responsiveness across partners and practice areas is much appreciated."
"HSF is particularly effective in distilling unwieldy and complex matters into more digestible decision-making advice. Its highly commercial and efficient approach instils confidence."
Notable Practitioners
Stuart Barrymore is based in Perth and enjoys a strong reputation in the market for his oil and gas-related expertise. He advises across gas sales, transportation, pipeline developments and transactional matters, and is particularly noted for his experience with LNG projects.
David Ryan is based in Sydney and advises across a range of transactional, commercial contracting and regulation mandates, often with regard to large energy infrastructure projects and developments.
"David Ryan is the best. He's very professional, commercial, insightful, great at negotiating, and responsive. Very well respected in the industry and he is just a pleasure to work with."
Jay Leary handles the full range of mining sector matters, including transactions, operating and development agreements, dividing his time between the firm's Brisbane and Perth offices.
"Jay has been outstanding in negotiations and delivering quality advice while ensuring value is maximised for the client."
Robert Merrick is based in Perth and has an impressive track record of advising large oil and gas companies on asset acquisitions, divestments and project development issues.
"Rob is a leader in the profession."
"Rob Merrick is excellent to deal with in knowing what we need, both from the commercial and legal perspective."
Nick Baker is based in Melbourne and is known for his expertise advising on joint ventures and other large transactions in the utilities sector.
"Nick Baker is very quick and thoughtful. He's not bogged down in the technical legal issues and always reaches middle grounds on heavily negotiated points."
"Nick is knowledgeable and well informed. His insights in corporate transactions are very useful and he has a strong practical understanding of policy and decision making."
Peter Davis is based in Sydney and is acknowledged for his expertise in energy and infrastructure, regularly advising on operational and regulatory matters. His considerable knowledge in mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures make him well placed to advise on commercial contracts in the energy sector.
"Peter Davis is a really good lawyer, particularly on power and M&A transactions."
Neena Aynsley is based in Melbourne and is frequently called upon by clients for her expertise in projects concerning thermal and renewable power. She is particularly well placed to advise on corporate transactions in the energy sector including joint ventures, acquisitions and commercial contracts, among numerous other issues.
"Neena is an excellent energy and projects lawyer who organises her teams well on larger projects to deliver outcomes efficiently."
"I found Neena to be knowledgeable and pragmatic."
Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills
Australia
Members
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Andrew McLean
Head of Department
Mark Hatfull
Melissa Swain-Tonkin
Paul Branston
Head of Department
Sian Newnham
Industries
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Battery Energy Storage Systems
Carbon Capture
Coal
Copper
Critical Minerals
Energy Transition
Energy from Waste
Gold
Hydrogen
Iron Ore
Lithium
Nickel
Nuclear
Oil and Gas
Onshore and Offshore Wind
Ports and Rail
Pumped Hydro
Rare Earths
Renewable Energy
Solar
Transmission
Water