Four finalists shortlisted for prestigious industry awards

From our senior ranks to rising stars McCullough Robertson has been shortlisted as a finalist in four categories at this year’s Australian Law Awards hosted by Lawyers Weekly.

Now in its 17th year, the nationally-recognised awards celebrates the legal sector’s leading professionals and firms who are going above and beyond for their industry and clients.

Lawyers Weekly features editor Emma Ryan said competition throughout the legal profession was at an all-time high as the business of law continued to go from strength to strength.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Sydney on 1 September. More than 700 people attended last year’s celebration to acknowledge the achievements of their peers and profession nationwide.

Congratulations to our finalists:

Damien Clarke and Louise Horrocks – Energy & Resources Team of the Year

A runner up for this award in 2016, the firm’s Resources and Renewables Group Head Damien Clarke celebrates 20 years providing genuine leadership and management to the team, which has dominated the market when it comes to acting for the mid-tier miners in their acquisitions of the large mining houses’ distressed assets. The Group has also seen a significant expansion in its clean energy sector work with rising star Partner Louise Horrocks advising on some of the most complex renewables projects in Australia.

Ben Wood – Transaction Team of the Year

McCullough Robertson’s transactions team worked with clients across a number of sectors in FY16-17, most notably the merger between RACQ and QT Mutual Bank (QTMB). The novel transaction (involving an ADI being acquired by an entity which is not a financial institution) was a world first and a game-changer for the Australian banking sector. RACQ and QTMB aim to create a fresh way to bank, bringing together two mutual, member-focused organisations that are committed to an attractive retail bank offering that provides value for their members.

Trudi Procter – Special Counsel of the Year

Trudi is a senior lawyer in McCullough Robertson’s Corporate and Commercial group. Trudi returned to work at McCullough Robertson from a second round of maternity leave in September 2016 and has successfully combined her role as a mother with acting on major cross-border acquisitions and divestments. Trudi has been a major driver of new business to the firm with an emphasis on the resources and renewables industries and is an active mentor to other mothers, demonstrating that it is possible to be a hands-on parent as well as a successful transaction lawyer.

Milan Gandhi – Law Student of the Year

Milan is in his final year of a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Queensland and will start at McCullough Robertson as a Graduate Lawyer in 2018. He has maintained a first class honours grade point average, juggling study with his role as a Research Clerk at McCullough Robertson, founding and directing nonprofit organisation The Legal Forecast, and serving on the Advisory Board to the College of Law’s Centre for Legal Innovation.

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In addition to publishing regular newsletters and focus articles for our clients and contacts, our lawyers are frequently asked by mainstream and specialist media to comment on a range of topical issues and trends affecting the Australian legal industry and Australian business.

Please contact Kim Trajer on +61 7 3233 8994 or by email for further information.