The expansion marks a major milestone in the firm’s Australian growth trajectory, it says
HFW has opened doors in Brisbane, marking what the firm said was a major milestone in its Australian growth trajectory.
This is the firm’s fourth Australia office, with HFW having established offices in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. HFW Australia managing partner Gavin Vallely said Brisbane was “increasingly being recognised as a gateway to PNG and the Oceania region generally”.
In line with this expansion, the firm also brought in new partner Christopher Rowden and his team of construction specialists.
The new team makes the jump from CDI Lawyers. Rowden was accompanied by special counsels Jason Pungsornruk and Thomas Law; senior associate Samantha Fry; and associate William Lowes.
“Queensland has been experiencing a construction boom, with many of our clients involved in major infrastructure projects across the state and, in particular in the South East corridor. The investment in private and public infrastructure will continue as Queensland gears up for the 2032 Summer Olympics”, Vallely said. “Chris and his team will work closely with our Australian construction group to support clients on significant projects and disputes in Australia and across the wider Asia Pacific region”.
Rowden brings over 15 years of experience in back-end disputes, project delivery and front-end. He has conducted large-scale court litigation, domestic and international arbitration, and adjudication.
He and his team have worked with contractors and subcontractors on construction and infrastructure projects in the energy and resources, oil and gas, renewables, and engineering sectors. Recently, Rowden represented a significant Japanese contractor in international arbitration seated in Singapore and adjudication disputes related to the $50bn Ichthys LNG project in Darwin.
