Former AU oil and gas head joins US BigLaw firm in SG

After nearly two decades at a global firm, the Sydney-based M&A and projects expert is headed to Singapore

Former AU oil and gas head joins US BigLaw firm in SG
The former oil and gas group head of Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) in Australia has joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in Singapore.

Michael Joyce, who spent more than 19 years at NRF, has relocated from Sydney, moving back to Singapore where he previously headed the office of legacy firm Deacons, which was acquired by NRF in 2009. He also previously led NRF’s corporate and commercial business unit in Brisbane.

Joyce, who becomes an M&A and projects partner at Akin Gump, has extensive experience advising private-sector and government clients on natural gas and oil value chains matters. He also acts on power project matters in relation to the acquisition, development and operation of coal, gas-fired and renewable-power projects, joint-venture structuring and regulatory compliance issues.

He is also experienced in the mining industry, including acting for clients on greenfield and brownfield mine acquisition and development. He has also worked on greenfield infrastructure development, including equity and financial arrangements. Joyce has extensive international experience, having advised on matters involving more than 20 jurisdictions globally, including on outbound investment from Japan.

Kim Koopersmith, Akin Gump chair, said that Joyce is a perfect fit for the firm in Asia, specifically its regional energy practice, with his ability to navigate cross-border energy issues. Robert M. Griffin, the US BigLaw’s Singapore office partner-in-charge, said that in addition to his extensive experience in the oil and gas sector, Joyce’s projects and infrastructure experience complements the firm’s energy practice in Singapore.

Joyce joined Allens Arthur Robinson in 1989 as an associate after graduating with a degree in law from the University of Sydney, where he also finished his master’s degree in 1993. He then became general counsel at ITOCHU Australia, a Japanese general trading company, in 1992. He joined NRF in 1998.


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