Jones Day plans Perth office

Former Allens partner Stephen McComish has quit to establish global law firm Jones Day's new Perth operation in April this year with plans to focus attention on project disputes in the state's growing energy sector. 

The Perth office will be Jones Day's second office in Australia, joining the firm's Sydney office, which opened in 1998.

Jones Day managing partner Steve Brogan said the new office reflected the firm's belief in the growing importance of Australia to the global economy.

"In the next decade, Western Australia in particular will play a critical role in supplying the energy and other commodity needs of Asia," he said.

"If economic advancement is to benefit the largest number of people in Asia, then access to Australia's resources will be essential. The sheer size and complexity of current and anticipated projects will require lawyers who can anticipate and protect against the inevitable risks and be able to protect clients when unfortunate disputes occur."

Mr McComish has litigated in a range of commercial diputes, contract negotiation and international arbitration matters.

Jones Day's Sydney office partner-in-charge Chris Ahern said the firm was delighted to welcome Mr McComish as its 14th partner in Australia.

"Opening in Perth allows us to better serve clients in the new phase of development of the state’s resources industry, and Stephen's vast experience with a range of both local and international clients gives us added depth in litigation and contractual matters related to these complex projects," he said.

Jones Day's range of client services includes litigation, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, intellectual property and restructuring and insolvency.

The US-based firm employs more than 2,400 lawyers across 41 offices worldwide.