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National law firm Proximity has been acquired by an advisory services provider, with CEO Zoe Lynam to lead a new combined team of more than 130 employees across Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide.
National integrated consulting, legal and commercial services provider Proximity has been acquired by Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) Australia, where it will continue to service its government clients under a new entity: Proximity, an SPA Australia company.
The acquisition is effective as of this month.
SPA Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Systems Planning & Analysis, a global provider of advisory services in support of critical national security objectives. CEO of Proximity Zoe Lynam will now be the managing director of SPA’s Australian operations, leading the combined team of 130-plus employees across the country.
“We’re proud of the name we’ve earned in the Australian market, and SPA is a natural fit given our shared commitment to integrity and client service as well as SPA’s deep defence and technology expertise,” she said.
“We look forward to a bright future with a global company of SPA’s calibre.”
Founded in 2011 by Sean King and James Dunn, Proximity worked on projects across the whole of government, including major Commonwealth public sector agencies, with clients including the Department of Defence; Industry, Science and Resources; Home Affairs; Veterans Affairs; Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Department of Health and Aged Care; National Disability Insurance Agency, and Services Australia.
The firm has since grown to more than 115 employees and lawyers working on government projects – and King will continue to lead the commercial practice group. He said an important part of the business plan for the past two years has been to find the right growth partner for the firm. Proximity also confirmed to Lawyers Weekly that the job titles and daily practices of their lawyers will not change with the acquisition.
“Proximity has always been an ambitious company. This next chapter with SPA is exciting for employees as it broadens opportunities for professional growth,” King said.
“For our clients, it means increased offerings and more diverse services, supporting them to achieve their strategic objectives.”
SPA provides analysis and data-driven insights for some of the most complex, sensitive missions in government. For over five decades, the provider has partnered with clients across the defence, intelligence, and homeland security markets to help inform national security decisions. SPA employs more than 2,200 people worldwide, with 15 office locations across the US, UK, and Australia, including more than 100 lawyers who work with government clients.
The Australian arm has worked with the Australian Department of Defence since 2010 and provides contemporary military operational and analytic experience, access to advanced modelling and analysis tools, and complete objectivity with no commercial interest in the analytic results.
SPA CEO Rich Sawchak said this acquisition was a key milestone in SPA’s strategic growth trajectory and global presence.
“Proximity is a sought-after and highly respected multidisciplinary government consultancy with an impressive client list. It has strong legal, commercial and consulting specialisations and will broaden our capabilities,” he said.
“This acquisition reinforces our commitment to Australia and presents an opportunity to further build on our global success.”
Lauren is a journalist at Lawyers Weekly and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Macleay College. Prior to joining Lawyers Weekly, she worked as a trade journalist for media and travel industry publications and Travel Weekly. Originally born in England, Lauren enjoys trying new bars and restaurants, attending music festivals and travelling. She is also a keen snowboarder and pre-pandemic, spent a season living in a French ski resort.
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