Beresford and Hogan join from Allens and JWS, respectively
Global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has announced the appointments of Anne Beresford and Michael Hogan as partners in its Brisbane-based projects, energy, and infrastructure (PEI) practice.
Beresford joins from Allens, while Hogan comes from Johnson Winter Slattery. In a news release, HSF said both additions have a track record of assisting clients with significant energy and infrastructure transactions across the Asia-Pacific region.
“We welcome Anne and Michael to our market leading Queensland team,” said Clare Smethurst, HSF’s Brisbane office managing partner, in the news release.
Nick Baker, HSF’s PEI managing partner, shared that the firm seeks to strengthen its Brisbane team to help address Queensland’s energy and infrastructure opportunities, such as preparations for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“Queensland has major plans underway as part of its energy transition goals, involving multi-billion dollar public and private investments in renewable energy, energy storage and transmission projects,” Baker said in the news release.
“At the same time, the State will be delivering very significant infrastructure for the Olympics, including the construction of a new stadium and National Aquatic Centre in Brisbane and upgrades to its roads, transport and other sporting and entertainment venues,” Baker added. “These projects are complex and require specialist legal skills and industry experience that our firm can offer, and with the arrival of Anne and Michael it will only strengthen our offering.”
“Each bring the right mix of technical excellence and sector experience to support our clients through this exciting period of growth in our region,” Smethurst said in the news release.
During its annual partner promotion round in April, the firm promoted Gabby Herron-Cartwright in Brisbane and elevated Madeleine Miller and Michael D’Agostino, who belong to the PEI practice.
Beresford’s experience includes upstream oil and gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and new energy projects, according to her firm bio. She assists energy sector clients with acquisitions and divestments, project development, joint ventures, offtake arrangements, and renewable energy and decarbonisation projects. She also helps clients with complex and bespoke commercial contracts.
“The extent of the development needed to support the energy transition is unprecedented,” Beresford said in the firm’s news release.
“Queensland is well placed to contribute to the transition, with its combination of gas and renewable energy resources, and its potential to be a leader in the development of new energy projects,” she added. “Herbert Smith Freehills sees this potential, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining its market leading energy team.”
Hogan is a projects lawyer who handles the procurement, delivery, and operation of energy and infrastructure projects, states his LinkedIn page. His clients span the infrastructure, resources, energy, transport, water, and development sectors. His practice includes various delivery models and focuses on collaborative forms of contract. He has worked in Papua New Guinea.
“The 2032 Olympics are a large and urgent infrastructure undertaking for South East Queensland,” Hogan said in the firm’s news release. “There is also a huge challenge to develop energy and infrastructure projects in regional Queensland.”
Hogan added: “The projects are vast, often involve new technologies, are technically complex and need to be delivered at pace in a tough economic and labour market. Herbert Smith Freehills has built the right balance of depth, technical expertise and creativity to help our private and public sector clients to navigate these challenges.”
