Johnson Winter Slattery: Opens New York Office, First Australian Law Firm in US

• Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS) has opened a representative office in New York, becoming the sole Australian law firm with a dedicated US presence.
• The New York office, led by corporate partner Andrew Turner, will exclusively practice Australian law and serve as a direct point of access for US clients investing in Australia.
• This expansion addresses the significant increase in US investment into Australia, particularly in sectors like private equity, technology, and energy.
• The office will guide US investors through complex Australian regulatory issues, including FIRB and antitrust approvals, and provide cross-border M&A Australia advice.
• JWS aims to offer seamless, real-time access to its Australian legal expertise, complementing its existing network of offices across Australia.

The Johnson Winter Slattery New York office is designed to serve as a crucial direct access point for clients to the firm's extensive transaction, regulatory, and disputes teams located across Australia.

Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS) has established a new representative office in New York, marking a significant expansion of the Australian law firm's international footprint. This strategic move positions JWS as the only Australian legal practice to date with a dedicated US presence, directly addressing the growing demand for specialized Australian legal advice among US-based entities. The Johnson Winter Slattery New York office is designed to serve as a crucial direct access point for clients to the firm's extensive transaction, regulatory, and disputes teams located across Australia.

Corporate partner Andrew Turner has been appointed to lead the new New York operation. His expertise in cross-border M&A and foreign investment will be central to the office's mission. The team in New York will exclusively practice Australian law, working in close collaboration with JWS's foreign investment and competition specialists in Australia. This integrated approach aims to provide seamless support for US investors navigating the complexities of the Australian legal landscape.

The decision to open the New York office directly responds to a notable increase in US entities making investments within Australia. The United States consistently remains Australia's primary source of foreign investment, with significant capital flowing into key sectors such as private equity, venture capital, technology, and energy. This sustained interest, however, often brings US investors face-to-face with intricate Australian regulatory issues and distinct market differences that can significantly impact the execution of deals.

The JWS US presence is specifically tailored to guide clients through these challenges. The New York team, in conjunction with their Australian counterparts, will assist with critical regulatory matters including foreign direct investment (FIRB) and antitrust approvals. They will also provide strategic advice on broader regulatory strategies and transaction execution, offering a localized resource for obtaining Australian legal expertise. Andrew Turner JWS emphasized that the firm's presence in New York enables them to closely advise clients and their advisors as investment opportunities develop, streamlining the process for US investment Australia legal advice.

Beyond its new US outpost, JWS operates a robust network of offices across Australia, including locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. The firm's core focus lies in advising major Australian and international corporates, investment funds, and financial sponsors on their complex legal needs. Managing Partner Jeremy Davis highlighted the firm's commitment to providing seamless, real-time access to its leading Australian legal expertise, underscoring the strategic importance of the Australian law firm New York office in achieving this goal for US clients.

In line with its forward-looking strategy, JWS has also recently strengthened its capabilities in other key areas. Earlier this year, the firm appointed Jan Hards to the newly created role of AI head, tasked with overseeing the firm's AI adoption roadmap and enhancing lawyers' AI competency to deliver technology-enabled services. Additionally, Peter Feros, formerly the national tax head at Clayton Utz, joined JWS as the head of its tax group, bringing extensive experience working with prominent entities such as Wyloo Consolidated, Mandalay Resources, Tattarang, and Ainsworth Game Technology Limited. Last November, Lee Carroll was brought in to lead JWS's arbitration team from Melbourne, leveraging her international experience from London, Paris, and Australia. These strategic hires collectively reinforce JWS's position as a comprehensive legal service provider for cross-border M&A Australia and other complex transactions.

US lawyers and compliance officers advising clients on investments into Australia now have a dedicated, local point of contact in New York for navigating complex Australian foreign investment, competition, and M&A regulatory issues. This development offers a streamlined resource for obtaining Australian legal expertise and facilitating cross-border transactions.

Source: Original reporting via Australasian Lawyer.