Jump to content

Clayton Utz: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Diogenhty (talk | contribs)
11 edits
mNo edit summary
Tags: references removed Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Undid revision 1174577727 by Diogenhty: Unexplained removal of sourced information (as in several other legal firm articles). Please open discussion on talk page/s, as these are concerning. Also, these are not "minor" edits
Line 16: Line 16:
| homepage = [https://claytonutz.com claytonutz.com]
| homepage = [https://claytonutz.com claytonutz.com]
}}
}}
'''Clayton Utz''' is an Australian law firm headquartered in [[Sydney]].<ref name="Austrade">{{cite web |last1=Australian Government |first1=The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) |author1-link=AUSTRADE |title=Australian Suppliers Directory - Austrade |url=https://www.austrade.gov.au/SupplierDetails.aspx?ORGID=ORG0000092418 |website=www.austrade.gov.au |access-date=6 May 2021 |date=2021}}</ref> {{as of|2021}} it had 179 partners and 1,600 personnel in six offices.<ref name="Austrade" />
'''Clayton Utz''' is an Australian law firm headquartered in [[Sydney]].<ref name="Austrade">{{cite web |publisher=Australian Government |author=AUSTRADE The Australian Trade and Investment Commission |author1-link=AUSTRADE |title=Australian Suppliers Directory |url=https://www.austrade.gov.au/SupplierDetails.aspx?ORGID=ORG0000092418 |website=AUSTRADE.gov.au |access-date=6 May 2021 |date=2021}}</ref> Established in 1833,<ref name="Austrade"/> it is large-sized firm, known as one of the "[[Big Six (law firms)|Big Six]]" Australian law firms.<ref name=SMH2007>{{Cite news |author=Kenneth Nguyen|date=22 May 2007|title=Stags in Slater & Gordon share some class action – a 40% win|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|publisher=Fairfax Media|page=21|quote=Though Slater & Gordon is a well-known law firm, its market capitalisation of $151 million would be dwarfed if any of Australia's "big six" law firms - Allens Arthur Robinson, Blake Dawson Waldron, Clayton Utz, Freehills, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Minter Ellison - decided to float.|url=http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&docID=SMH070522FA4V74C1A9G}}</ref> The firm is recognised for its litigation practice, government clients, ''pro bono'' services and high-profile alumni.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Corporate/M&A {{!}} Chambers Global Profile |url=https://chambers.com/department/clayton-utz-corporate-ma-global-2:354:23:1:4413 |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=Clayton Utz|language=en}}</ref> In 2013, the firm had an annual revenue of $436 million.<ref name="afr.com" /><ref>{{cite news |date=15 August 2013 |work=Business Review Weekly |access-date=17 October 2016 |url=http://www.brw.com.au/p/professions/independent_law_firms_the_case_for_Gf5iLKt2Y7ZrRPq5eTsKIL |title=Independent law firms: The case for staying local}}</ref> {{as of|2021}} it had 179 partners and 1,600 personnel in six offices.<ref name="Austrade" />


==Operations==
==Operations==
=== Legal services ===
=== Legal services ===
Clayton Utz is a full-service law firm, and provides legal services in a wide variety of practice areas. The primary focus of the firm is in the realm of [[commercial law]], although it has broad competence in a large number of practice areas.{{NoteTag|note=Areas of practice known to be practiced by Clayton Utz include: banking and finance, capital markets and securities, competition, compliance, construction and projects, corporate / mergers and acquisitions, environment and planning, insurance, intellectual property, international arbitration, legal technology support, litigation and dispute resolution, native title, product liability, real estate, restructuring and insolvency, taxation, telecommunications, media and technology, and employment/industrial relations law.{{citation needed|date = May 2021}}|content=}}
Clayton Utz is a full-service law firm and provides legal services in a wide variety of practice areas. The primary focus of the firm is [[commercial law]], although it has broad competence in a large number of practice areas.{{NoteTag|note=Areas of practice known to be practiced by Clayton Utz include: banking and finance, capital markets and securities, competition, compliance, construction and projects, corporate / mergers and acquisitions, environment and planning, insurance, intellectual property, international arbitration, legal technology support, litigation and dispute resolution, native title, product liability, real estate, restructuring and insolvency, taxation, telecommunications, media and technology, and employment/industrial relations law.{{citation needed|date = May 2021}}|content=}}


The firm manages the affairs of clients across [[jurisdiction]]s, and retains dual-qualified lawyers.{{NoteTag|note=Jurisdictions in which the firm regularly deals include the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan and India.{{citation needed|date = May 2021}}|content=}} It is a member of international legal networks such as Lex Mundi and the Pacific Rim Advisory Council.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chambersandpartners.com/global/firms/4413-34953|title=Chambers and Partners directory|publisher=Chamber and Partners|access-date=2011-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716161749/http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/4413-34953|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The firm manages the affairs of clients across [[jurisdiction]]s, and retains dual-qualified lawyers.{{NoteTag|note=Jurisdictions in which the firm regularly deals include the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan and India.{{citation needed|date = May 2021}}|content=}} It is a member of international legal networks such as Lex Mundi and the Pacific Rim Advisory Council.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chambersandpartners.com/global/firms/4413-34953|title=Chambers and Partners directory|publisher=Chamber and Partners|access-date=2011-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716161749/http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/4413-34953|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Line 30: Line 30:


=== ''Pro bono'' work ===
=== ''Pro bono'' work ===
The firm provides [[pro bono]] legal services supporting charities, non-profits, and vulnerable clients. The firm claims to average over 50 hours of pro bono work per lawyer at the firm. It employs two partners to run its pro bono practice, which was established in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pro Bono Lawyers {{!}} Australia {{!}} Clayton Utz - About - Clayton Utz|url=https://www.claytonutz.com/about/pro-bono-practice|access-date=2020-09-12|website=www.claytonutz.com}}</ref> Although the firm is required to undertake a certain amount of pro-bono work to be eligible for government tenders, it is likely that it exceeds those requirements.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Australian Pro Bono Centre {{!}} Government Tender Arrangements|url=https://www.probonocentre.org.au/provide-pro-bono/government-tender-arrangements/|access-date=2020-09-12|language=en-AU}}</ref>
The firm provides ''[[pro bono]]'' legal services supporting charities, non-profits, and vulnerable clients. The firm claims to average over 50 hours of ''pro bono'' work per lawyer at the firm. It employs two partners to run its ''pro bono'' practice, which was established in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pro Bono Lawyers|url=https://www.claytonutz.com/about/pro-bono-practice|access-date=2020-09-12|website=Clayton Utz}}</ref> Although the firm is required to undertake a certain amount of pro-bono work to be eligible for government tenders, it is likely that it exceeds those requirements.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Australian Pro Bono Centre {{!}} Government Tender Arrangements|url=https://www.probonocentre.org.au/provide-pro-bono/government-tender-arrangements/|access-date=2020-09-12|language=en-AU}}</ref>


=== Social responsibility ===
=== Social responsibility ===
Line 38: Line 38:


=== McCabe v British American Tobacco ===
=== McCabe v British American Tobacco ===
It has been alleged that the firm arranged for its clients to destroy legally damaging documents. These allegations arose out of a litigation brought by a smoker Rolah McCabe, against [[British American Tobacco]] in 2002. The presiding judge for the trial found that Clayton Utz had enabled BAT to engage in a document retention policy which destroyed documents implicating the company. On appeal it was found that the firm's conduct was not unlawful.<ref>{{cite news|date=2002-12-06|title=Media Statement|publisher=Clayton Utz|url=http://www.claytonutz.com/publications/news/200212/06/media_statement.page|access-date=2010-03-23}}</ref> In reaction to the decision, Victorian laws about document retention were strengthened by parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ackland|first=Richard|date=2006-12-15|title=The importance of being earnest|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-importance-of-being-earnest-20061215-gdp217.html|access-date=2020-09-12|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref>
It has been alleged that the firm arranged for its clients to destroy legally damaging documents. These allegations arose out of a litigation brought by a smoker Rolah McCabe, against [[British American Tobacco]] in 2002. The presiding judge for the trial found that Clayton Utz had enabled BAT to engage in a document retention policy which destroyed documents implicating the company. On appeal it was found that the firm's conduct was not unlawful.<ref>{{cite press release |date= 6 December 2002 |title=Clayton Utz has welcomed the Victorian Court of Appeal's decision to uphold the Appeal against the ruling of the Victorian Supreme Court in the matter of McCabe v BATAS |publisher=Clayton Utz |url=http://www.claytonutz.com/publications/news/200212/06/media_statement.page |access-date=23 March 2010}}</ref> In reaction to the decision, Victorian laws about document retention were strengthened by parliament.<ref name="earnest">{{Cite news|last=Ackland|first=Richard|date=15 December 2006|title=The importance of being earnest |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-importance-of-being-earnest-20061215-gdp217.html|access-date=12 September 2020 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref>


In 2006 it was revealed that an internal investigation by Clayton Utz had implicated its partner; finding he had engaged in professional misconduct. That partner, Glenn Eggleton, was found to have given 'potentially perjurious' evidence, and to have taken advantage of McCabe's limited life expectancy while conducting the litigation. Eggleton denied these allegations.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 December 2006|title=The importance of being earnest|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/the-importance-of-being-earnest/2006/12/14/1165685823094.html|access-date=3 December 2011|publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref>
In 2006 it was revealed that an internal investigation by Clayton Utz had implicated its partner; finding he had engaged in professional misconduct. That partner, Glenn Eggleton, was found to have given 'potentially perjurious' evidence, and to have taken advantage of McCabe's limited life expectancy while conducting the litigation. Eggleton denied these allegations.<ref name="earnest"/>


In the aftermath of the McCabe litigation Clayton Utz closed its tobacco claims practice.<ref>{{cite news|date=2002-07-18|title=Clayton Utz to close tobacco claims litigation practice|publisher=Clayton Utz|url=http://www.claytonutz.com/publications/news/200207/18/clayton_utz_to_close_tobacco_claims_litigation_practice.page|access-date=2010-03-23}}</ref>
In the aftermath of the McCabe litigation Clayton Utz closed its tobacco claims practice.<ref>{{citation|date=2002-07-18|title=Clayton Utz to close tobacco claims litigation practice|publisher=Clayton Utz|url=http://www.claytonutz.com/publications/news/200207/18/clayton_utz_to_close_tobacco_claims_litigation_practice.page|access-date=2010-03-23}}</ref>


=== Sexual harassment allegations ===
=== Sexual harassment allegations ===
In 2011 Clayton Utz was sued in negligence for having failed to prevent sexual harassment at the firm. Emails had been circulated among graduate lawyers in the firm about another female graduate lawyer.<ref>{{cite web |last=Carson |first=Vanda |date=30 November 2011 |title=Clayton Utz lawyer Luis Izzo exposed as a rude e-male |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/clayton-utz-lawyer-luis-izzo-exposed-as-a-rude-e-male/news-story/3a620dcd57c3938f35832740ccaf8651 |access-date=9 December 2011 |publisher=News.com.au |quote=Justice Lucy McCallum said the asterisks used in the email written by lawyer [...] were "presumably" in place of the word f...[sic] "so as to avoid the gaze of any electronic gate-keeper". She described [...] comments about women lawyers as "no advertisement for male sensitivity" [...] "It is difficult to decide whether it is more surprising that the remarks were made at all (after over a century of feminism) or that a lawyer recorded them in an email (after seven centuries of subpoenas)," [she] wrote in her judgment.}}</ref> Clayton Utz was found not liable, as the court did not find that its partners ought reasonably to have prevented the correspondence.<ref name="jgmtid155868">{{cite web|title=Styles v Clayton Utz (No. 3) [2011] NSWSC 1452, 143|url=http://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/action/PJUDG?jgmtid=155868|access-date=2016-10-17|website=Caselaw.nsw.gov}}</ref> The lawyer subject to the lawsuit resigned shortly after settlement of the suit.
In 2011 Clayton Utz was sued in negligence for having failed to prevent sexual harassment at the firm. Emails had been circulated among graduate lawyers in the firm about another female graduate lawyer.<ref>{{cite news|last=Carson |first=Vanda |date=30 November 2011 |title=Clayton Utz lawyer Luis Izzo exposed as a rude e-male |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/clayton-utz-lawyer-luis-izzo-exposed-as-a-rude-e-male/news-story/3a620dcd57c3938f35832740ccaf8651 |access-date=9 December 2011 |work=News.com.au |quote=Justice Lucy McCallum said the asterisks used in the email written by lawyer [...] were "presumably" in place of the word f...[sic] "so as to avoid the gaze of any electronic gate-keeper". She described [...] comments about women lawyers as "no advertisement for male sensitivity" [...] "It is difficult to decide whether it is more surprising that the remarks were made at all (after over a century of feminism) or that a lawyer recorded them in an email (after seven centuries of subpoenas)," [she] wrote in her judgment.}}</ref> Clayton Utz was found not liable, as the court did not find that its partners ought reasonably to have prevented the correspondence.<ref name="jgmtid155868">{{cite web|title=Styles v Clayton Utz (No. 3) [2011] NSWSC 1452, 143|url=http://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/action/PJUDG?jgmtid=155868|access-date=2016-10-17|website=Caselaw.nsw.gov}}</ref> The lawyer subject to the lawsuit resigned shortly after settlement of the suit.


==Alumni==
==Alumni==
Line 54: Line 54:
* [[Julie Bishop]] MP, 38th [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]].<ref>{{Cite Au Parliament |mpid=83P |name=Hon Julie Bishop MP |access-date=2021-11-03}}</ref>
* [[Julie Bishop]] MP, 38th [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]].<ref>{{Cite Au Parliament |mpid=83P |name=Hon Julie Bishop MP |access-date=2021-11-03}}</ref>
* [[Christian Porter]] MP, 37th [[Attorney-General for Australia]], former [[Treasurer of Western Australia|Treasurer]] and [[Attorney-General of Western Australia|Attorney-General]] of [[Western Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-01|title=Christian Porter: Lawyer's lawyer, but attorney-general of the people|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/christian-porter-lawyers-lawyer-but-attorneygeneral-of-the-people-20180130-h0qw6g|access-date=2020-09-12|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Christian Porter]] MP, 37th [[Attorney-General for Australia]], former [[Treasurer of Western Australia|Treasurer]] and [[Attorney-General of Western Australia|Attorney-General]] of [[Western Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-01|title=Christian Porter: Lawyer's lawyer, but attorney-general of the people|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/christian-porter-lawyers-lawyer-but-attorneygeneral-of-the-people-20180130-h0qw6g|access-date=2020-09-12|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Brigitte Markovic]], Judge, [[Federal Court of Australia]].<ref>{{cite news|date=2015-08-24|title=The Hon Brigitte Sandra Markovic|publisher=Federal Court of Australia|url=http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/about/judges/current-judges-appointment/current-judges/markovic-j|access-date=2016-04-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2015-08-12|title=Clayton Utz partner appointed to the Federal Court of Australia|publisher=Clayton Utz|url=http://www.claytonutz.com/publications/news/201508/12/clayton_utz_partner_appointed_to_the_federal_court_of_australia.page|access-date=2016-04-15}}</ref>
* [[Brigitte Markovic]], Judge, [[Federal Court of Australia]].<ref>{{cite news|date=2015-08-24|title=The Hon Brigitte Sandra Markovic|publisher=Federal Court of Australia|url=http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/about/judges/current-judges-appointment/current-judges/markovic-j|access-date=2016-04-15}}</ref><ref>{{citation|date=2015-08-12|title=Clayton Utz partner appointed to the Federal Court of Australia|publisher=Clayton Utz|url=http://www.claytonutz.com/publications/news/201508/12/clayton_utz_partner_appointed_to_the_federal_court_of_australia.page|access-date=2016-04-15}}</ref>
* [[Anthony Fisher]], 9th [[Catholic Bishops and Archbishops of Sydney|Catholic Archbishop of Sydney]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-09-20|title=Archbishop-elect Anthony Fisher pledges a humbler Catholic Church: 'No excuses, no cover-ups'|url= https://www.smh.com.au/national/archbishopelect-anthony-fisher-pledges-a-humbler-catholic-church-no-excuses-no-coverups-20140919-10jffm.html|access-date=2021-07-08|website=Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Anthony Fisher]], 9th [[Catholic Bishops and Archbishops of Sydney|Catholic Archbishop of Sydney]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2014-09-20|title=Archbishop-elect Anthony Fisher pledges a humbler Catholic Church: 'No excuses, no cover-ups'|url= https://www.smh.com.au/national/archbishopelect-anthony-fisher-pledges-a-humbler-catholic-church-no-excuses-no-coverups-20140919-10jffm.html|access-date=2021-07-08|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Anthony Mason (judge)|Sir Anthony Frank Mason]], 9th [[Chief Justice of Australia]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Walker |first1=Kristen |author1-link=Kristen Walker |editor1-last=Coper |editor1-first=Michael |editor2-last=Blackshield |editor2-first=Tony |editor3-last=Williams |editor3-first=George |title=The Oxford Companion to the High Court of Australia |date=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Melbourne |isbn=9780195540222 |pages=459-461 |chapter=Mason, Anthony Frank |via=High Court of Australia}} [https://www.hcourt.gov.au/justices/former-justices/former-chief-justices [Former Chief Justices of the Court of Australia] page]</ref>
* [[Anthony Mason (judge)|Sir Anthony Frank Mason]], 9th [[Chief Justice of Australia]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Walker |first1=Kristen |author1-link=Kristen Walker |editor1-last=Coper |editor1-first=Michael |editor2-last=Blackshield |editor2-first=Tony |editor3-last=Williams |editor3-first=George |title=The Oxford Companion to the High Court of Australia |date=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Melbourne |isbn=9780195540222 |pages=459-461 |chapter=Mason, Anthony Frank |via=High Court of Australia}} [https://www.hcourt.gov.au/justices/former-justices/former-chief-justices [Former Chief Justices of the Court of Australia] page]</ref>
* [[Wigney|Michael Andrew Wigney]], Judge, Federal Court of Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Australia |first=c\=AU\; co\=Commonwealth of Australia\; ou\=Federal Court of |date=2022-06-16 |title=Biography of Justice Wigney |url=https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/about/judges/current-judges-appointment/current-judges/wigney-j |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=www.fedcourt.gov.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
* [[Wigney|Michael Andrew Wigney]], Judge, Federal Court of Australia.<ref>{{citation |title=Biography of Justice Wigney |url=https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/about/judges/current-judges-appointment/current-judges/wigney-j |work=Federal Court of Australia |date=February 2022 |access-date=14 September 2022 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
* [[Michelle Gordon]], Judge, [[High Court of Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Law School Alumna Michelle Gordon appointed to High Court of Australia : Archive Page : The University of Western Australia |url=https://www.news.uwa.edu.au/archive/201504157484/law/law-school-alumna-michelle-gordon-appointed-high-court-australia/ |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=www.news.uwa.edu.au}}</ref>
* [[Michelle Gordon]], Judge, [[High Court of Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Law School Alumna Michelle Gordon appointed to High Court of Australia : Archive Page : The University of Western Australia |url=https://www.news.uwa.edu.au/archive/201504157484/law/law-school-alumna-michelle-gordon-appointed-high-court-australia/ |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=www.news.uwa.edu.au}}</ref>
* Frances Williams, Judge, [[Supreme Court of Queensland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.sclqld.org.au/judicial-papers/judicial-profiles/profiles/fwilliams |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=www.sclqld.org.au}}</ref>
* Frances Williams, Judge, [[Supreme Court of Queensland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.sclqld.org.au/judicial-papers/judicial-profiles/profiles/fwilliams |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=www.sclqld.org.au}}</ref>
Line 73: Line 73:
Awards and recognition include:
Awards and recognition include:


* Australian Law Firm of the Year, Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards (2018)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Legal Services {{!}} Awards {{!}} Australia {{!}} Clayton Utz - About - Clayton Utz |url=https://www.claytonutz.com/about/awards |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=www.claytonutz.com}}</ref>
* Australian Law Firm of the Year, Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards (2018)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Legal Services {{!}} Awards {{!}} Australia {{!}} Clayton Utz - About - Clayton Utz |url=https://www.claytonutz.com/about/awards |access-date=10 December 2022 |website=www.claytonutz.com}}</ref>
* Attorney-General's Pro Bono Service Award, ACT Law Society Awards (2018)<ref name=":1" />
* Attorney-General's Pro Bono Service Award, ACT Law Society Awards (2018)<ref name=":1" />
* Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year, Who's Who Legal (2019, 2020)<ref name=":1" />
* Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year, Who's Who Legal (2019, 2020)<ref name=":1" />
Line 79: Line 79:
* Winner - Marsh Excellence in Employee Health and Wellbeing Award, Australasian Law Awards (2020)<ref name=":1" />
* Winner - Marsh Excellence in Employee Health and Wellbeing Award, Australasian Law Awards (2020)<ref name=":1" />
* Corporate Citizen Firm of the Year, Australasian Lawyer (2021)<ref name=":1" />
* Corporate Citizen Firm of the Year, Australasian Lawyer (2021)<ref name=":1" />
* Australian Law Firm of the Year, The Lawyers Global (2022)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Global |first=The Lawyers |title=The best Law Firms and Lawyers Awarded in Australia in 2022 — The Lawyers Global® |url=https://www.thelawyersglobal.org/awards/country-winners/australia/2022 |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=The Lawyers Global |language=en}}</ref>
* Australian Law Firm of the Year, The Lawyers Global (2022)<ref>{{Cite web |title=The best Law Firms and Lawyers Awarded in Australia in 2022 |url=https://www.thelawyersglobal.org/awards/country-winners/australia/2022 |access-date=10 December 2022 |website=The Lawyers Global |language=en}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 14:00, 9 September 2023

Clayton Utz
Clayton Utz
Headquarters
No. of offices6
No. of employees1,600+
Major practice areasFull service commercial law[2]
RevenueIncrease AUD$436 million (2013)[3]
Profit per equity partnerAUD$1.5 million (2011/12)[4]
Date founded1833; 191 years ago (1833)[5]
FounderBob Nichols
Company typePartnership
Websiteclaytonutz.com

Clayton Utz is an Australian law firm headquartered in Sydney.[6] Established in 1833,[6] it is large-sized firm, known as one of the "Big Six" Australian law firms.[7] The firm is recognised for its litigation practice, government clients, pro bono services and high-profile alumni.[8] In 2013, the firm had an annual revenue of $436 million.[3][9] As of 2021 it had 179 partners and 1,600 personnel in six offices.[6]

Operations

Clayton Utz is a full-service law firm and provides legal services in a wide variety of practice areas. The primary focus of the firm is commercial law, although it has broad competence in a large number of practice areas.[note 1]

The firm manages the affairs of clients across jurisdictions, and retains dual-qualified lawyers.[note 2] It is a member of international legal networks such as Lex Mundi and the Pacific Rim Advisory Council.[10]

The firm has undertaken several high-profile matters including Toll Group's takeover of Patrick Corporation,[11] Mayne Group's de-merger,[12] and Tattersall's A$2.17 billion IPO and listing.[13] The firm's corporate team has acted for AMP on its A$14 billion acquisition of AXA Pacific Holdings and represented the Singapore Exchange on its proposed merger with ASX.

Notable clients of the firm include Commonwealth Bank, Noble Group, Barrick Gold and Fortescue Metals.[14]

Pro bono work

The firm provides pro bono legal services supporting charities, non-profits, and vulnerable clients. The firm claims to average over 50 hours of pro bono work per lawyer at the firm. It employs two partners to run its pro bono practice, which was established in 1997.[15] Although the firm is required to undertake a certain amount of pro-bono work to be eligible for government tenders, it is likely that it exceeds those requirements.[16]

Social responsibility

In March 2010, the firm launched an action plan to reconcile with Indigenous Australians.[17] The firm fully offsets its carbon emissions.[18]

Controversies

McCabe v British American Tobacco

It has been alleged that the firm arranged for its clients to destroy legally damaging documents. These allegations arose out of a litigation brought by a smoker Rolah McCabe, against British American Tobacco in 2002. The presiding judge for the trial found that Clayton Utz had enabled BAT to engage in a document retention policy which destroyed documents implicating the company. On appeal it was found that the firm's conduct was not unlawful.[19] In reaction to the decision, Victorian laws about document retention were strengthened by parliament.[20]

In 2006 it was revealed that an internal investigation by Clayton Utz had implicated its partner; finding he had engaged in professional misconduct. That partner, Glenn Eggleton, was found to have given 'potentially perjurious' evidence, and to have taken advantage of McCabe's limited life expectancy while conducting the litigation. Eggleton denied these allegations.[20]

In the aftermath of the McCabe litigation Clayton Utz closed its tobacco claims practice.[21]

Sexual harassment allegations

In 2011 Clayton Utz was sued in negligence for having failed to prevent sexual harassment at the firm. Emails had been circulated among graduate lawyers in the firm about another female graduate lawyer.[22] Clayton Utz was found not liable, as the court did not find that its partners ought reasonably to have prevented the correspondence.[23] The lawyer subject to the lawsuit resigned shortly after settlement of the suit.

Alumni

Notable alumni of the firm include:

Awards

Awards and recognition include:

  • Australian Law Firm of the Year, Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards (2018)[37]
  • Attorney-General's Pro Bono Service Award, ACT Law Society Awards (2018)[37]
  • Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year, Who's Who Legal (2019, 2020)[37]
  • Most Innovative National Firm of the Year, International Financial Law Review (IFLR) Asia-Pacific Awards (2019, 2020)[37]
  • Winner - Marsh Excellence in Employee Health and Wellbeing Award, Australasian Law Awards (2020)[37]
  • Corporate Citizen Firm of the Year, Australasian Lawyer (2021)[37]
  • Australian Law Firm of the Year, The Lawyers Global (2022)[38]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Areas of practice known to be practiced by Clayton Utz include: banking and finance, capital markets and securities, competition, compliance, construction and projects, corporate / mergers and acquisitions, environment and planning, insurance, intellectual property, international arbitration, legal technology support, litigation and dispute resolution, native title, product liability, real estate, restructuring and insolvency, taxation, telecommunications, media and technology, and employment/industrial relations law.[citation needed]
  2. ^ Jurisdictions in which the firm regularly deals include the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan and India.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Clayton Utz. "About: Offices - Sydney, Australia". www.claytonutz.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Clayton Utz Expertise - Expertise - Clayton Utz". Claytonutz.com. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Clayton Utz suffers 4pc revenue decline amid job cuts". Australian Financial Review. 6 September 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  4. ^ "How much do lawyers earn?". Australian Financial Review. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Lex Mundi: The Worlds Leading Law Firm Network". Lexmundi.com. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  6. ^ a b c AUSTRADE The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (2021). "Australian Suppliers Directory". AUSTRADE.gov.au. Australian Government. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  7. ^ Kenneth Nguyen (22 May 2007). "Stags in Slater & Gordon share some class action – a 40% win". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. p. 21. Though Slater & Gordon is a well-known law firm, its market capitalisation of $151 million would be dwarfed if any of Australia's "big six" law firms - Allens Arthur Robinson, Blake Dawson Waldron, Clayton Utz, Freehills, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Minter Ellison - decided to float.
  8. ^ "Corporate/M&A | Chambers Global Profile". Clayton Utz. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Independent law firms: The case for staying local". Business Review Weekly. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Chambers and Partners directory". Chamber and Partners. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  11. ^ Kirsty Simpson; Rod Myer; Malcolm Maiden (13 May 2006). "Crash of the Titans". The Age.
  12. ^ "ASX announcement and media release". Australian Securities Exchange. 17 June 2005.
  13. ^ "Float creates new millionaire factory". The Australian. 3 June 2005.
  14. ^ "Pro Bono Lawyers". Clayton Utz. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Australian Pro Bono Centre | Government Tender Arrangements". Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Reconciliation". Clayton Utz. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  17. ^ "Clayton Utz and the environment". Clayton Utz. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  18. ^ "Clayton Utz has welcomed the Victorian Court of Appeal's decision to uphold the Appeal against the ruling of the Victorian Supreme Court in the matter of McCabe v BATAS" (Press release). Clayton Utz. 6 December 2002. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  19. ^ a b Ackland, Richard (15 December 2006). "The importance of being earnest". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  20. ^ Clayton Utz to close tobacco claims litigation practice, Clayton Utz, 18 July 2002, retrieved 23 March 2010
  21. ^ Carson, Vanda (30 November 2011). "Clayton Utz lawyer Luis Izzo exposed as a rude e-male". News.com.au. Retrieved 9 December 2011. Justice Lucy McCallum said the asterisks used in the email written by lawyer [...] were "presumably" in place of the word f...[sic] "so as to avoid the gaze of any electronic gate-keeper". She described [...] comments about women lawyers as "no advertisement for male sensitivity" [...] "It is difficult to decide whether it is more surprising that the remarks were made at all (after over a century of feminism) or that a lawyer recorded them in an email (after seven centuries of subpoenas)," [she] wrote in her judgment.
  22. ^ "Styles v Clayton Utz (No. 3) [2011] NSWSC 1452, 143". Caselaw.nsw.gov. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h Evans, Linda; Fagan, David, eds. (2008), Clayton Utz: Celebrating 175 Years, Clayton Utz
  24. ^ Errington, Wayne; Van Onselen, Peter (2007), John Winston Howard: The Biography, Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, ISBN 978-0-522-85334-6
  25. ^ "Hon Julie Bishop MP". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  26. ^ "Christian Porter: Lawyer's lawyer, but attorney-general of the people". Australian Financial Review. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  27. ^ "The Hon Brigitte Sandra Markovic". Federal Court of Australia. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  28. ^ Clayton Utz partner appointed to the Federal Court of Australia, Clayton Utz, 12 August 2015, retrieved 15 April 2016
  29. ^ "Archbishop-elect Anthony Fisher pledges a humbler Catholic Church: 'No excuses, no cover-ups'". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  30. ^ Walker, Kristen (2001). "Mason, Anthony Frank". In Coper, Michael; Blackshield, Tony; Williams, George (eds.). The Oxford Companion to the High Court of Australia. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. pp. 459–461. ISBN 9780195540222 – via High Court of Australia. [Former Chief Justices of the Court of Australia page]
  31. ^ "Biography of Justice Wigney", Federal Court of Australia, February 2022, retrieved 14 September 2022
  32. ^ "Law School Alumna Michelle Gordon appointed to High Court of Australia : Archive Page : The University of Western Australia". www.news.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  33. ^ "StackPath". www.sclqld.org.au. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  34. ^ "International Comparative Legal Guides". International Comparative Legal Guides International Business Reports. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  35. ^ "Current Judges and Masters".
  36. ^ a b c d e f "Legal Services | Awards | Australia | Clayton Utz - About - Clayton Utz". www.claytonutz.com. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  37. ^ "The best Law Firms and Lawyers Awarded in Australia in 2022". The Lawyers Global. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Clayton_Utz&oldid=1174598166"