Firm promotes Vanessa Finlayson, Alexandra Woodland, Ashley Sherr, Madeline Coats, Jesse Slankard
Sparke Helmore has welcomed Paul Calvert as a partner in the projects and government commercial team in the firm’s Brisbane office and Martin Kelly as special counsel in the corporate and commercial team in the Newcastle office.
Sparke Helmore shared that Calvert’s and Kelly’s appointments took effect on 27 January 2026 and 12 January 2026, respectively. Calvert has joined from Gadens, while Kelly comes from the Northern Territory’s largest legal practice.
“Paul is a highly regarded expert known for his collaborative approach and is an exciting addition to our national team,” said Paul Tobin, national leader for the projects and government commercial practice group, in a media release. “It’s also a great leap forward for us to have someone of Paul’s calibre take the lead in growing our construction practice across Queensland.”
“The opportunity to lead the next phase of growth for the construction practice in Queensland is an exciting one,” Calvert added.
While based in Newcastle, Kelly will continue serving his Northern Territory client base by maintaining a regular presence in Darwin.
“His extensive local knowledge and expertise will be valuable in strengthening our Darwin presence alongside our Darwin Local Managing Partner, George Roussos,” said Julien Castaldi, national leader for the corporate and commercial practice group, in a media release.
Sparke Helmore also announced promotions that took effect on 1 January 2026.
Vanessa Finlayson from the firm’s compulsory third party (CTP) insurance practice in Sydney and Alexandra Woodland from the statutory lines insurance practice in Adelaide joined the partnership as of that date.
Ashley Sherr from the workplace practice became special counsel, while Madeline Coats from the statutory lines insurance practice and Jesse Slankard from the government public and regulatory practice became senior associates. These three lawyers are all Melbourne-based.
“Vanessa and Alexandra joining our partnership, alongside Ashley, Madeline and Jesse’s promotions, are testament to the dedication they have shown in achieving this significant career milestone,” said Andrew White, national managing partner, in a media release. “I know their contributions will continue to drive the firm’s success and growth and that they will excel in their new roles.”
The firm’s media releases provided more information regarding the recently announced additions and promotions.
Calvert focuses on construction and project advice. He has represented developers, principals, builders, developer-builders, state and local governments, suppliers, consultants, and bank and non-bank lenders.
He has dealt with large projects in Queensland. He has also handled projects across the East Coast, Tasmania, and Western Australia. He has guided clients through every phase of the lifecycle of projects.
Calvert’s practice has covered residential, commercial, and industrial developments, as well as the health, education, transport, and energy sectors.
“The firm’s commitment to regional areas, including the recent opening of a Cairns office, as well as the strong cross-referral culture, means that I am looking forward to the next chapter of my career at Sparke Helmore,” he said in the firm’s media release.
For seven years, Calvert worked as regional legal counsel for a construction contractor.
Kelly has more than 18 years of experience as a commercial lawyer. He focuses on contractual law, dispute resolution, commercial property, and business law.
“Martin will also build on our current offering by taking a hands-on role with our clients in Newcastle and regional NSW,” Castaldi said in the firm’s media release. “We are excited to welcome Martin to the team.”
“I am pleased to be joining a national full-service law firm with a well-established Darwin office and Northern Territory presence, which enables me to continue supporting my clients across the NT,” Kelly added. “I am equally looking forward to reconnecting with long-standing friends and colleagues in Newcastle and regional NSW and making Newcastle my new home.”
Kelly has served as a board director of the Sport Access Foundation and as a trustee of the Fidelity Fund NT.
Finlayson is an insurance litigator with experience in CTP litigation, as well as an accredited personal injury specialist.
She has advised on risk and exposure, with a focus on negotiation strategies, early resolution, medical disputes, s151z recoveries, multi-party insurance disputes, and fraud claims. She has addressed liability, medical, statutory interpretation, and administrative law issues.
Woodland mainly deals with workers’ compensation. She has assisted the state statutory authority and its claims agents with all matters concerning claims brought under South Australia’s workers’ compensation legislation.
She has advised on advisory and claims management issues. She has helped manage disputes, including alternative dispute resolution and litigation.
As a litigator and adviser, Sherr has tackled all aspects of workplace law. He has represented large organisations, small and medium enterprises, and government clients.
He has advised and acted for clients across state and federal courts and tribunals in employment, industrial relations, and workplace health and safety matters.
Coats has practised in the statutory compensation jurisdiction. She has assisted clients with matters involving claim liability, indemnity, causation, and quantum. Her experience has encompassed case management and dispute settlement negotiation.
As a lawyer and litigator, Slankard has advised and appeared for Commonwealth departments and agencies in connection with judicial and merits review matters. He has also served as a solicitor-advocate in hearings.
