Damien Clarke

Industry Sector Expertise

Since the establishment of the firm's resources industry group in 2001, Damien has served as its head, building a prominent presence in Australia’s resources industry. Damien is regarded as a trusted adviser with a keen awareness of industry trends and the strategies employed by various participants within the resources sector. His skills add significant value to transactions in this industry, particularly in project finance, structuring, greenfields project development, taxation, and corporate issues.

Clients

Whitehaven Coal Limited, Sojitz Corporation, New Hope Corporation Limited, NQ Minerals, Malabar Resources Limited, CS Energy, and Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners.

Practice Areas

Damien is a senior commercial and corporate lawyer who specialises in taxation and commercial law. His extensive expertise encompasses a range of legal services, including joint ventures, infrastructure agreements, partnerships, unregulated M&A transactions, corporate law, and intellectual property. He has structured, negotiated, and drafted over 25 joint venture arrangements and has provided legal counsel on high-profile commercial transactions in the resources sector. Damien also offers general structuring, taxation, and revenue advice, with a focus on income tax, capital gains tax, goods and services tax, and indirect taxes such as stamp duty and payroll tax.

Career

Damien has dedicated 37 years to McCullough Robertson, where he currently is Joint Managing Partner and has established himself as a trusted leader within the firm. Over the years, he has developed the firm's resources practice and provided expert legal counsel to a diverse range of public and private clients. His deep knowledge of commercial law, taxation, and the resources sector has made him a key adviser on significant transactions and joint ventures. Damien’s long-standing commitment to the firm and his clients reflects his expertise and leadership in the legal field.

Professional Memberships

Law Society of Queensland.

Publications

Establishment of the Minerals Security Partnership Finance Network, Taking ‘stock’: legality of State mining royalties following Vanderstock, and ‘Funding’ the way: navigating the investment maze.

Education