Johnson Winter Slattery
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
|---|---|
| No. of offices | 6 (2025)[1] |
| No. of employees | 450+ (2025)[2] |
| Major practice areas | Corporate and commercial |
| Key people | Jeremy Davis (Managing Partner) Aldo Nicotra (Chairman) |
| Date founded | 1993 |
| Founder |
|
| Company type | Partnership |
| Website | www.jws.com.au |
Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS) is an independent Australian commercial law firm. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Canberra,[3] the firm has 82 partners and over 250 lawyers, business development, finance, HR and IT professionals.[4][5]
History
Johnson Winter Slattery was established in 1993 as a boutique commercial law firm in Adelaide by Tony Johnson, Nigel Winter and Peter Slattery.[6] The firm began with nine partners and 20 staff.[6] Five of those partners joined from Finlaysons.[7]
JWS expanded interstate in 2004 when it opened its Sydney office.[8] Within seven years, the firm opened additional offices in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.[9] In 2022, JWS opened its office in Canberra.[10]
Following the retirement of Peter Slattery in June 2021, Jeremy Davis was appointed Managing Partner.[11]
In March 2025, the firm announced a strategic alliance with TMI Associates, one of the five largest law firms in Japan.[12]
Practice areas
JWS's sector expertise spans a range of industries, including clean energy and emerging technologies, defence, education, fashion, fast-moving consumer goods, healthcare, infrastructure and utilities, media and communications, mining, natural capital, oil and gas, and technology.
The firm's practice areas are:[13]
- Competition/antitrust
- Corporate
- Corporate crime & investigations
- Dispute resolution
- Employment
- Energy & resources
- Environment & planning
- Finance
- Foreign investment
- Funds management
- Intellectual property & IT
- Media
- Private equity & venture capital
- Projects, infrastructure & construction
- Real estate
- Regulatory
- Restructuring & insolvency
- Tax
Clients
JWS is engaged by Australian and international corporations, investment funds and government agencies as legal counsel on transactions and disputes throughout Australia and surrounding regions. Its major clients include Qantas, Rio Tinto, Potentia Capital, Santos, TPG Telecom, Liverpool Partners, Microsoft, Origin Energy, ACCC and Unilever.[14][8]
In 2023-2024, JWS recorded A$9.7m in federal government legal work, ranking it among the top 10 law firms in Australia.[15]
Notable cases and transactions
The firm has advised on the following matters:
- Represented Dow Jones & Co in defamation proceedings brought by Joseph Gutnick (2002).[16]
- Acted for Unilever on its acquisition of Weis Frozen Foods (2017).[17]
- Advised the State of South Australia on the world’s first grid-connected 100MW battery project, Hornsdale Power Reserve, and expansion to 150MW (2017-2020).[18]
- Obtained ACCC informal clearance for PepsiCo's US$3.2 billion acquisition of SodaStream (2018).[19]
- Helped secure ACCC approval for the proposed acquisition of Ruralco by Nutrien in a deal worth A$469m (2019).[20]
- Represented Michelle Guthrie in Federal Court litigation against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for unfair dismissal and related parliamentary inquiries (2019).[21]
- Advised Carlton & United Breweries on its acquisition of Balter Brewing Company (2019).[22]
- Represented Lighthouse Corporation in proceedings against the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste regarding a US$328M oil contract dispute (2019).[23]
- Assisted AB InBev on its Hong Kong IPO and the sale of the group’s Australian business to Asahi (2019-2020).[24]
- Advised Microsoft on its acquisition of Clipchamp (2021).[25]
- Represented Google in defamation proceedings brought by criminal lawyer, George Defteros (2022).[26]
- Represented PwC (formerly PPB Advisory) in its capacity as liquidator of Gunns Group in the case of Bryant & Ors v Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd (2023).[27]
- Advised the sellers of DAOU Vineyards on its proposed A$1.6 billion sale to Treasury Wine Estates (2023).[28]
- Assisted Archer Capital on the A$820m sale of illion to Experian (2024).[29]
- Advised Potentia Capital on its A$1.35 billion exit from Micromine and sale to Weir Group (2025).[30]
Pro bono
JWS supports community initiatives and not-for-profit organisations across Australia through pro bono legal work, charitable donations and sponsorships.
Established in 2019 and led by two partners,[31] the firm is a signatory to the National Pro Bono Target, committing to an average of 35 hours of pro bono work per lawyer, per year.[32][33] Since 2020, JWS has exceeded this target.[34] In 2024, it averaged 50 pro bono hours per lawyer.[35]
Organisations they support and provide pro bono services to include:
- Australian Science Media Centre
- Homelessness Australia
- Ronald McDonald Houses Charities
- Saint Vincent de Paul Society
- Stewart House (Australia).[35]
JWS is a signatory to Reconciliation Australia's Reflect RAP, indicating the firm's commitment to fostering an inclusive culture for First Nations People.[33]
Secondments
The firm has ongoing secondments with a number of community legal centres and charities, including the Justice and Equity Centre (formerly Public Interest Advocacy Centre), Marrickville Legal Centre, Human Rights Law Centre, Youth Law Australia, Street Law and Oxfam Australia.[36][37][38][39]
Sponsorships
Since 2014, JWS has been a Major Partner and the official legal partner of the Australian Chamber Orchestra.[40]
Associations
International bodies of which the firm’s lawyers are members include the International Bar Association,[41] International Trademark Association,[42] International Fiscal Association,[43] International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property,[44] International Wine Law Association,[44] and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.[45]
Recognition
Awards
Recent awards won by JWS include:
- Best Australian Law Firm & Best Professional Services Firm (A$100-$200m revenue) - Beaton's Client Choice Awards (2025).[46]
- Technology, Media and Telecom M&A Legal Adviser of the Year - Mergermarket M&A Awards Australia (2023).[47]
- Energy Law - Best Lawyers Law Firm of the Year (2023).[48]
- Oil and Gas Law - Best Lawyers Law Firm of the Year (2022).[49]
- Dispute Resolution Team of the Year - Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards (2020).[50]
Rankings
JWS is recognised in national and international directories. The Chambers Asia Pacific (2025) rankings recognise 34 practitioners across 21 practice areas.[51]
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide (2025) ranked JWS in 19 areas of law and recognised 18 of its lawyers, with a Band 1 ranking in Media and Entertainment law.[52]
71 practitioners were named in the 2026 Best Lawyers in Australia, including 10 "Lawyer of the Year" award recipients and nine "Ones to Watch".[53]
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Notable lawyers
Notable lawyers and consultants of the firm include:
- Pamela Hanrahan – Emeritus Professor at UNSW Business School and Chair of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.[54]
Offices
The firm has offices in the following cities:
Sydney (Quay Quarter Tower - Headquarters)
Melbourne (Collins Place)
Adelaide (211 Victoria Square)
Perth (Central Park (skyscraper))
Brisbane (One One One Eagle Street)
Canberra (5 Constitution Avenue)
References
- ↑ "Contact us". Johnson Winter Slattery. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ↑ "Who we are". Johnson Winter Slattery. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ↑ "Contact us". Johnson Winter Slattery. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ↑ "About us". Johnson Winter Slattery. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
- ↑ Tadros, Edmund (2025-07-03). "Explore the Law Partnership Survey results for the first half of 2025". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kennedy, Alex (1993-09-10). "Sharpening the lawyer's pencil". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
- ↑ Ackland, Richard (1993-12-23). "Allens suffers an attack of 'boutiquism'". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Nickless, Rachel (2008-04-18). "JWS sees benefits in staying south". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
- ↑ "The making of a national firm: Johnson Winter & Slattery". Lawyers Weekly. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
- ↑ "Johnson Winter & Slattery Hires MinterEllison Duo for Canberra Office Launch". Law.com International. 2022-08-03. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
- ↑ Neilson, Naomi (2020-06-30). "National firm appoints next managing partner". Lawyers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ↑ "Japan's TMI breaks into Australia with JWS alliance". Law.asia. 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ "What we do". Johnson Winter Slattery. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ↑ "Johnson Winter Slattery". Global Legal Insights. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
- ↑ Mizen, Ronald (2024-08-01). "How the NACC helped a global law firm take top spot for taxpayer work". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ↑ "Media & entertainment". Johnson Winter Slattery. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ↑ Dolor, Sol (2017-10-20). "JWS acts as Unilever gobbles up Australian ice cream maker". Australasian Lawyer. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ↑ Dolor, Sol (2020-01-22). "JWS confirms work on pioneering financing for record-setting energy project". Australasian Lawyer. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ↑ "Review 2019" (PDF). Johnson Winter Slattery. June 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2025-03-15. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Ruralco enters into Scheme Implementation Deed" (PDF). Ruralco Holdings Limited. 2019-02-27. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ↑ "Michelle Guthrie back on ABC board agenda". The Australian. 2019-02-01. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ↑ Doraisamy, Jerome (2019-12-13). "Brewery giant advised on acquisition of craft beer business". Lawyers Weekly. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ↑ Dolor, Sol (2019-05-18). "JWS foils Timor-Leste's bid to dismiss US$328m case". Australasian Lawyer. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ↑ Dolor, Sol (2019-08-06). "Four firms work as Japanese company gulps down Australia's largest beer brewer". Australasian Lawyer. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ↑ So, Jacqueline (2021-10-05). "JWS helps Microsoft acquire Brisbane startup". Australasian Lawyer. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ↑ Cameronne, Cindy (2022-08-17). "In defamation victory, High Court finds Google not a publisher". Lawyerly. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ↑ Pelly, Michael (2023-02-12). "High Court insolvency ruling to stop 'unfair' creditor claims". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ↑ Niesche, Christopher (2023-11-08). "Johnson Winter Slattery, Sheppard Mullin Advise on $1B Vineyard Sale". Law.com International. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ↑ Carolino, Bernise (2024-10-03). "JWS assists Archer Capital in illion/Experian deal worth about $820m". Australasian Lawyer. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ↑ Thompson, Sarah; Sood, Kanika; Rapaport, Emma (2025-02-28). "Potentia Capital divests Micromine for $1.35b to Weir Group Plc". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ Australian Pro Bono Centre (December 2021). "Pro Bono Voco" (PDF). Australian Pro Bono Centre. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
- ↑ "Target Signatories (for Solicitors and Barristers)". Australian Pro Bono Centre. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan" (PDF). Johnson Winter Slattery. October 2022. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ↑ Croft, Lauren (2021-11-11). "How this firm grew its pro bono practice by 300%". Lawyers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Our pro bono practice" (PDF). Johnson Winter Slattery. 2025-02-11. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ "Charity partnerships and secondments". Johnson Winter Slattery. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ "PIAC Annual Report 2022" (PDF). Public Interest Advocacy Centre. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ↑ Feik, Nick (July 2023). "Whistle while we work". The Monthly. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ↑ "Annual Report 2022" (PDF). Oxfam Australia. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ↑ "Johnson Winter Slattery". Australian Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ↑ "Robert Johnston". Johnson Winter Slattery. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ "Christine Ecob". Johnson Winter Slattery. Archived from the original on 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2025-03-15. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Richard Gelski". Johnson Winter Slattery. Archived from the original on 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2025-03-15. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Chrystal Dare". Johnson Winter Slattery. Archived from the original on 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2025-03-15. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Alexandra Neovius". Johnson Winter Slattery. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ↑ "2025 Client Choice Awards Winners". Client Choice Awards. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
- ↑ "JWS named Mergermarket 2023 Technology, Media and Telecom M&A Legal Adviser of the Year". Johnson Winter Slattery. October 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ↑ "Announcing The Best Lawyers in Australia 2023". Best Lawyers. 2022-04-20. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ↑ "Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers in Australia". Best Lawyers. 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ↑ "2020 Winners and Finalists". Lawyers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ↑ "Johnson Winter Slattery: Asia-Pacific Guide 2025". Chambers and Partners. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ↑ "Johnson Winter Slattery > The Legal 500 Rankings". The Legal 500. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ "2026 Best Lawyers® in Australia showcases law firm talent, highlights Brisbane as emerging hub for top legal minds". Best Lawyers. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
- ↑ Pelly, Michael (2023-05-18). "ASIC expert back on the tools with top law firm". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
External links
- Official website
- Firm's rankings: Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific; Legal 500 Australia; IFLR1000; ITR World Tax.
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