Simon Bellas joins Jones Day

Former Norton Rose Fullbright partner Simon Bellas has joined global law firm Jones Day as a partner at the firm’s recently opened Perth office. 

The firm said Mr Bellas would focus on project disputes in the state’s growing energy sector. 

Former Allens partner Stephen McComish recently joined Jones Day in February.

Jones Day now has 15 partners across Australia, all having joined from major law firms. 

“The sheer size and complexity of both current and anticipated projects, claims and disputes will require lawyers who can protect clients against the inevitable risk, and represent clients when disputes unfold,” Jones Day partner Chris Ahern said.

“Simon gives us added depth to serve clients in both of these capacities.”

The firm said Mr Bellas had substantial experience in construction and engineering matters with an emphasis in large-scale disputes. 

“Major project disputes can and do occur at varying points of development and given the global nature of the sourcing for these projects, our clients demand counsel who can respond quickly and have both functional and industry experience,” Jones Day global disputes practice leader Tim Cullen said. 

Mr Bellas said he looked forward to joining Jones Day and Mr McComish in the firm’s new Perth office.

“As a trusted adviser to major stakeholders in the market, Jones Day has been engaged to take on numerous project counsel roles which involve not only formal litigation, arbitration and adjudication work, but also a range of pre-emptive strategic dispute avoidance and dispute minimisation advice,” he said.