Matthew Johnson's hire will ease the firm's transition once partner Geoff Simpson retires
Allen & Overy (A&O) has lured Matthew Johnson from Hogan Lovells to serve as its co-head of global mining.
Johnson is a corporate M&A expert who has acted on various domestic and cross-border transactional and corporate advisory matters. He specialises in handling issues involving the mining and resources sector.
He has tackled matters related to clean energy/critical minerals, precious metals and iron ore. He is also knowledgeable in Australian foreign investment policy and legislation.
Johnson is part of the Law Council of Australia’s foreign investment committee. A&O APAC corporate practice head Victor Ho said that Johnson’s experience with the deep mining sector would benefit the firm’s APAC clients.
“His appointment strengthens an already market leading regional team and further enhances our ability to assist clients on complex domestic Australian and cross-border M&A,” Ho added.
As global mining co-head, Johnson will work alongside fellow partner Gerhard Rudolph. A&O explained that the appointment of Johnson would “allow adequate timing and transition following the planned retirement of Geoff Simpson from the partnership.”
“As Perth continues to be a centre of excellence for mining, Matthew’s appointment maintains our senior presence in the Perth market,” Rudolph said. “The biggest driver and opportunity in the sector at the moment lies in the green energy transition. The development of future-facing technologies and 2050 net zero pledges heralds new opportunities for mining companies to reposition their business models towards clean energy minerals. Matthew’s insights will be invaluable to our international clients.”
A&O has yet to confirm when Johnson will commence at the firm.
