Government | Asia-Pacific

Ashurst has a market-leading practice, notable for its representation of an impressive range of departments at various levels of government across Australia. The firm is noted for its multidisciplinary teams, often staffed by lawyers with in-house experience of the public sector, which provide expertise across a broad range of sectors, including financial services, work health and safety, and insurance. The practice is additionally able to bring to bear expertise acquired working on government projects in various South-East Asian jurisdictions and in Europe.

MinterEllison maintains a standout practice, prominently active at both Commonwealth and state levels, particularly where major social, transport or technology infrastructure projects are concerned. The team is regularly engaged on the most complex or potentially contentious issues, especially in such sensitive sectors as employment, health, immigration and taxation. The firm is also renowned for its handling of transactions involving the transfer of large-scale government assets.

Allens has an established reputation in this sphere, underpinned by noted strength in the infrastructure and procurement arenas. The firm is also a prominent actor on major government asset sales and privatisations, first-to-market transactions and urban renewal projects, and is regularly engaged to provide support in respect of royal commissions, other official inquiries and litigation. The team advises government bodies at both a federal and state level.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth provides a respected offering, covering a diverse range of government work that includes major infrastructure and procurement projects, complex litigation and assistance with inquiries and commissions. The firm is active at Commonwealth, state and local levels, attracting especially strong praise for its work on behalf of state government bodies. The team is experienced acting on significant energy project mandates but is also known for both its regulatory expertise and its advice on such areas as employment, planning and the environment.

King & Wood Mallesons is active at both Commonwealth and state government levels. The firm is especially well known for its handling of major infrastructure and procurement mandates, as well as for representing government bodies before inquiries and in class action litigation. The team also addresses a variety of fintech and technology issues, the latter including developments in the digital identity sectors.

Maddocks is noted for its deep-rooted understanding - often based on in-house experience - of policy and regulatory issues within government. The firm boasts a strong track record of representing clients at Commonwealth, state and local levels and acts particularly frequently for Victoria and New South Wales-based entities. The team is also noted for being a leading choice for Commonwealth Government advice.

Norton Rose Fulbright maintains an established team noted both for its regular representation of Commonwealth Government bodies and for its prominence on numerous state government panels, most notably in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The practice offers a broad range of capabilities but stands out for particular expertise in the areas of litigation, procurement and ICT-related issues, as well as investigations, transportation and development projects.

Gilbert + Tobin's growing Government department boasts expertise across the entire practice area, including in procurement processes, major infrastructure projects - especially in the technology sphere - and commissions and inquiries. The firm regularly advises an array of government departments and agencies, as well as private sector clients who are engaging with state actors.

Herbert Smith Freehills maintains a well-resourced practice, principally focussed on high-value commercial transactions for major state government clients. The team is particularly noted for its handling of major public projects in the health, social housing and transportation sectors. The practice is also recommended for capabilities in the procurement, planning and environment, and PPP spheres.

McCullough Robertson is recognised for its leading Queensland offering for state government and local authority clients undertaking major public works projects. The firm is frequently sought out by major departments of other East Coast state Governments in project development and administrative matters, most notably in relation to resources, energy and transport infrastructure.