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HFW hires Clifford Chance counsel as new partner
Global law firm HFW has moved to bolster its international construction practice with the hire of a disputes partner out west.
Jerome Doraisamy
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Sean Marriott (pictured) is joining HFW following eight and a half years at Clifford Chance, over five of which he spent in a counsel role. He joins his new firm as a partner.
He specialises, HFW said in a statement, in construction disputes and international arbitration in the oil and gas, mining, power, renewables and public infrastructure sectors and in investor-state dispute settlement.
Marriott is admitted in Australia and England and Wales and has practised in London and Perth. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he worked as an engineer.
He will join HFW from Clifford Chance on 4 November.
The news follows the global firm’s addition of a team from BigLaw rival Johnson Winter Slattery in late August, as well as its “record” 12 months in the Australian market, as reported in July, and having added 12 new partners across the country since the beginning of FY2023–24.
The firm has seen substantial growth Down Under in recent times. In March, the firm promoted four new partners and one new legal director. This came after the hiring of an environment and climate change partner from Baker McKenzie in December, the addition of a partner from Clyde & Co, as well as a team of seven, in January this year after the firm nabbed five partners from fellow BigLaw practice MinterEllison, as well as a team of 15 lawyers in late November last year as it moved to bolster its regional offerings in corporate, projects, regulatory, and restructuring.
HFW now has 34 partners and more than 110 lawyers across its offices in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
HFW’s Australian managing partner, Gavin Vallely, said: “I am delighted to welcome Sean to HFW. Sean, like other members of the construction group, has an engineering background and will make an excellent addition to the firm’s service offering in Australia.
“His extensive experience in both construction and maritime disputes, combined with his engineering expertise, will be invaluable for our clients, particularly those engaged in offshore oil and gas, decommissioning, shipbuilding and offshore wind projects.”
The firm’s head of construction, Michael Sergeant, said: “Our global construction group has more than doubled in size over the past two years in line with client demand, and we are committed to continuing that growth across our global business as we welcome Sean to the firm.
“Sean has significant experience advising contractors on complex construction disputes in Australia, Asia and London and a distinguished track record in investor-state dispute settlement in construction projects. He will work closely with the construction partners in Australia and across our global network of offices and will be a great asset to the firm and our clients.”
Marriott said: “HFW’s reputation as a leading construction practice in Australia and internationally continues to grow, and I am excited to be joining a firm that is committed to investing in the construction sector.
“In addition, HFW’s specialisation in related industry sectors, including maritime, energy, mining and insurance, together with its ISDS and international arbitration practice, provides a unique service offering to construction clients in Australia, especially those undertaking onshore and offshore energy and resources and infrastructure projects.
“I am looking forward to working with HFW colleagues and clients in Australia and around the world.”
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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