About
Provided by Ashurst
Department: Government
Partner for this department: Paul Vane-Tempest
A STRONG NATIONAL GOVERNMENT PRACTICE
Ashurst's government practice continues to be a leader in the Australian market.
We understand the challenges posed by evolving policies, competing demands and increasing pressure to deliver value and efficiencies. We combine this public sector awareness with our extensive experience to offer our public sector and government clients clear advice.
We are a significant provider of strategic, cost-effective and timely legal services to government. Ashurst partners and lawyers work across all three levels of government (the Commonwealth, all states and territories, and a number of regional councils (local government)) in Australia across the full spectrum of civil, public and commercial law, including:
- contracting, procurement and grants including strategic, "national building" and major outsourcing projects;
- corporate governance, privatisations and asset sales;
- intellectual property, privacy and information law;
- public and administrative law and legislative development;
- employment and workplace relations:
- commercial litigation and dispute resolution;
- property, environment and heritage, including acquisitions, divestments and lease transactions; and
- construction and development projects.
Chambers Review
Ashurst has a market-leading practice, notable for its representation of an impressive range of departments at various levels of government across Australia. Noted for its multidisciplinary teams, often staffed by lawyers with in-house experience of the public sector, providing expertise across a broad range of sectors, including financial services, work health and safety, and insurance. Additionally able to bring to bear expertise acquired working on government projects in various South-East Asian jurisdictions and in Europe. Notable clients include the Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and Sydney Metro.
Speaking of a recent experience with Ashurst, a client comments: "The firm has been able to manage all aspects of the matter, with a lead partner deploying the firm's expertise as and when required. The firm's understanding of and advice about the commercial issues has been excellent."
Paul Vane-Tempest is highly regarded for his experience acting for the Commonwealth Government and for public bodies. He is noted for his expertise in relation to employment and health and safety matters.
Steve McKinney regularly acts for departments of the Commonwealth Government, most notably the Department of Defence, whom he advises in relation to procurement, contracting and infrastructure projects.
Sarah Ross-Smith has experience acting for government departments and agencies at both a Commonwealth and state level. She provides advice on a range of matters, including material procurement projects, government schemes and governance issues for public bodies.
Angela Summersby is noted for her experience acting for the Commonwealth Government on technology, procurement and contracting matters. A client comments: "Angela is well respected and trusted, and brings great pragmatism to her experience and expertise."
Jon Lovell acts for Commonwealth, state and territory government clients, and is particularly noted for his work in relation to employment and industrial relations matters.