Squire Patton Boggs has further expanded its global Construction & Engineering Industry Group in Australia with the addition of Perth-based construction partner Donna Charlesworth.
Ms. Charlesworth has extensive experience advising both private and government clients on construction, engineering, maintenance and operation and offtake contracts in relation to major projects throughout Australia, Asia and the Middle East. She advises across a range of sectors, including infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, water, transportation and commercial development.
Ms. Charlesworth was previously head of the Perth Public Sector Group at Clayton Utz, a practice group she established in 2018, and she has worked in the Major Projects and Construction team. Ms. Charlesworth has also worked in other large firms and in-house at multinational companies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Tokyo and Occidental Petroleum Corporation in the Middle East.
Tony Chong, Perth office managing partner and head of the Australian Asia Desk, said: “With someone of Donna’s calibre adding additional expertise and hands-on experience, we can expand capacity to assist clients and those seeking market-leading support for their projects. Our construction and projects team, which operates across all three Australian offices, and in tandem with the firm’s global network, is already recognised as one of the best in the region. Donna’s reputation for excellence in front-end advisory will complement and enhance our overall offering.”
He added: “Donna’s appointment reflects the firm’s continued growth; we have been hiring to ensure capacity keeps pace with demand.”
Speaking of her move, Ms. Charlesworth commented: “Major projects are increasingly global in scope and in joining Squire Patton Boggs, I will be able to offer clients the international coverage and support that they demand.”
“We are delighted to welcome Donna on board,” added Tom Wilson, a partner in the firm’s global Construction & Engineering Industry Group. “Donna’s expertise complements that of our growing team, with new additions in recent weeks including Brent Henderson in Sydney and a Dubai construction and arbitration team that joined the firm last year.”
The firm’s global Construction & Engineering Industry Group advises public and private sector clients, including owners and purchasers, contractors and subcontractors, insurers, tenants and funders with all contentious and non-contentious requirements. The group advises on all international forms of contract and bespoke EPC contracts, and has detailed experience of all US, UK and Australian common law building and engineering contracts.