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Clayton Utz appoints cyber partner from EY
National law firm Clayton Utz has added the former managing partner for EY’s cyber responses and forensic practice in Europe to its partnership.
Jerome Doraisamy
Brenton Steenkamp (pictured) has joined Clayton Utz, bringing with him over 20 years of advisory experience in cyber security. He will, the firm said in a statement, enhance its offering across the full life cycle from prevention and preparedness to incident response, investigation, and remediation and strengthen its cyber and data governance practice “to deliver a one-stop shop”.
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Mr Steenkamp was most recently the former managing partner for EY’s cyber responses and forensic practice in Europe. He has also served as the lead partner for EY’s West Australian forensic practice in Perth.
The news follows the firm’s promotion of 64 lawyers to more senior roles back in July, as well as its nabbing of a team from fellow BigLaw firm DLA Piper in late May.
Speaking about the appointment, Clayton Utz national practice group leader for forensic and technology services Paul Fontanot said: “Over the past seven years, Clayton Utz has built the cyber and forensic advisory practice from the ground up. We have a deep pool of highly technical specialists, and we have invested millions into cutting-edge technology. Our legal and technical teams work as one and under the efficiencies of one instruction.”
“Brenton’s specialist advisory skill set and experience in bringing together multidisciplinary teams, including specific legal, technology and subject matter experts to resolve complex data governance issues and cyber security risks, when combined with the legal and technical skill sets and technology capabilities of Clayton Utz will provide a unique offering for Australian businesses and our clients.”
Mr Steenkamp added: “Australian businesses are all too familiar with the threat of a cyber attack. Although many businesses have taken significant steps to protect their businesses, particularly so in the past 12 months, there is still a significant delta between the perception and reality of being adequately prepared.”
“In my experience of working with global Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, many businesses are still heavily reliant on internal, or outsourced IT services, rather than taking a leading role in developing and implementing strategic response plans.
“Where technical response plans exist, often we find they are not fit to remediate a crisis or provide a strategic response. Boards need to play a central role in preparedness and ensure that they, and the business, are fully prepared for the chaotic and emotionally charged realities of a cyber attack.”
