CLYDE & CO LAUNCHES IN BRISBANE

CLYDE & Co has opened its fourth Australian office right in the heart of Brisbane.

A team of three partners from Sparke Helmore – Matthew Pokarier, Jacinta Long and Maxine Tills – opened the doors earlier today and there are plans to hire a further 20 lawyers in Brisbane this year.

The team will focus on all classes of insurance as well as commercial litigation, bringing significant experience in the insurance, accounting, financial services, engineering, construction and corporate sectors to the firm.

Clyde & Co Australia managing partner John Edmond says the Brisbane office will cater to growing markets in the area and the founding partners were carefully selected.

"Our opening in Brisbane sees the achievement of our Australian strategy of a four-office national spread,” says Edmond.

“I expect this will be of interest to our infrastructure, energy, natural resources and insurance sector clients in particular.

“As always, we have invested significant time in selecting the right team to join our firm and are very happy to have Matthew, Jacinta and Maxine on board.

“Their specialist practices not only complement, but also buttress, our existing practice in Queensland.

“As we advance our core sector expansion in Australia, we also have hiring plans across several offices in the infrastructure, transportation and international trade spaces."

Matthew Pokarier, who will lead the firm’s Brisbane practice, says his team were attracted to the global-minded Clyde & Co strategy.

“In coming to the decision to join Clyde & Co, we were particularly attracted by its global, sector-focused strategy,” says Pokarier.

“There is a growing interest in the Queensland market for international legal services.

“With Clyde & Co, we will be able to deliver locally-focused and nuanced advice and representation but with the capabilities and resources of a global firm.”

Clyde & Co launched in Sydney and Perth in October 2012 following an acquisition of a specialist insurance team from Australian firm Allens.

The brand added a Melbourne office in September last year.

The Brisbane office is Clyde & Co’s 40th worldwide.