DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Ashurst

Government

5 ranked lawyers

Band 1

Australia

Asia-Pacific 2021 View ranking table

chambers review

department information

Ranked Lawyers

Chambers Review

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What the team is known for

Market-leading practice, notable for its representation of an impressive range of departments at various levels of government across Australia. Acts for Commonwealth bodies in such areas as defence, healthcare and enterprise bargaining as well as advising state governments on significant infrastructure projects. 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.

Work highlights

Acted for Airservices Australia in class action proceedings in the Federal Court relating to approximately 500 managers who alleged underpayment of redundancy entitlements, employer superannuation contributions, leave and other entitlements provided under an enterprise agreement.

Notable practitioners

Angela Summersby is noted for her experience acting for the Commonwealth government on technology, procurement and contracting matters. A client comments: "She is a commanding and fierce advocate who instils complete confidence that she is working for, and protecting, the department - her advice is readily understood and unequivocal."

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.

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.

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.

Steve McKinney regularly acts for Commonwealth government departments, most notably the Department of Defence, whom he advises in relation to procurement, contracting and infrastructure projects.

Department Information

This content is provided by Ashurst.

Overview

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.