New partner energises Big Six firm’s oil and gas strategy

In addition to extensive management and transactional experience, the new hire also invented a patented e-commerce process

New partner energises Big Six firm’s oil and gas strategy
Paul Shillington has joined MinterEllison as the newest partner in the firm’s M&A practice in Perth.

Shillington, an energy expert with more than 20 years' experience in legal, commercial and executive leadership roles, will focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors, especially in oil, gas, and construction.

He began his career at Freehills, now Herbert Smith Freehills, in 1992 as a solicitor, before moving on to become a senior associate at Phillips Fox, now DLA Piper, in 1995. He then began his career in the energy industry in 1999, joining Coflexip Stena Offshore, now Technip-FMC, as regional counsel for the Asia Pacific region.

From 2004 to 2015, Shillington was at eQua, where he developed a patented an e-commerce engine for local purchasing. In 2005, he became an external legal advisor to ExxonMobil, dedicated to its Greater Gorgon LNG development project. In 2008, Shillington established an energy-focused legal consulting company in Paris. He joined Oryx Petroleum in 2011 as chief legal officer, and stayed with the exploration and production company until 2016.

Shillington’s broad transactional and management experience covers all facets of business internationally, including strategy, risk management, operations, joint ventures, M&A, equity and debt capital financing, dispute management and resolution, and regulatory and compliance matters. 

“There are important synergies between his background and experience, our practice in Western Australia and the firm's advisory services to the energy and resources sector,” said Adam Handley, MinterEllison Western Australia managing partner. “He will lead the on-going development of our oil and gas strategy in Western Australia and work closely with our Energy & Resources group across Australia and Asia. Paul will also play an active role in the development of the oil and gas stream of MinterEllison's China Foreign Direct Investment practice.”

Shillington’s appointment comes after a raft of new partners for the firm in Western Australia.

“In the past year alone, we added three additional new partners in Perth – in human resources/industrial relations and insurance & corporate risk,” Handley said. “Paul's admission takes us to 15 partners in Western Australia, now making us one of the largest full service commercial firms operating in the state.”


Paul Shillington


Related stories:
MinterEllison acts as Japanese giant grabs majority stake in Aussie builder
Organisations too complacent on cyber risk – MinterEllison report

Recent articles & video

Tamboran Resources taps SPB for advice on first long-term gas sales agreement

First Racial Justice Conference in Australia zooms in on invisible race discrimination

US law firm settles copyright lawsuit over alleged court filing plagiarism

Employment rates for law graduates reach decade high: American Bar Association

US senate approves reauthorization of surveillance program amidst privacy concerns

French skincare giant L'Occitane wins legal battle in the US against mass arbitration claims

Most Read Articles

Top young stars of Australia's legal profession for 2024 unveiled

Promotions round beefs up Clyde & Co's Australia partnership

Allens welcomes five new partners

Tech and IP stars join up with Allen & Overy