National firm gains two seasoned partners

With a dual hire in Sydney, the firm bolsters its corporate and commercial and insurance groups

National firm gains two seasoned partners
Sparke Helmore has hired two seasoned partners from other large firms to bolster its corporate and commercial and insurance groups.

Scott McDonald officially joined the commercial firm on 3 May while Julian McGrath joined the firm Monday. Both are based in Sydney.

McDonald, who comes to Sparke Helmore after 26 years at DLA Piper, is an expert in commercial litigation. His more than 30 years' experience includes complex commercial disputes, competition law, alternative dispute resolution, bankruptcy, insolvency, and white collar crime.

In addition to commercial litigation, he is also skilled in the fields of international commercial arbitration, cross-border disputes, and anti-bribery and corruption. He is regularly acts in high-profile inquiries, investigations, Independent Commission Against Corruption and Royal Commissions.

McGrath, who comes from HWL Ebsworth, where he rose to partner, is a 24-year veteran in the field of insurance law. He also spent five years at PwC as a partner. He advises on first-party property claims, professional indemnity claims, directors' and officers' claims, and complex liability and products liability claims for insurers. He also advises on policy coverage, defending contested declinature, and on proceedings involving non-disclosure and under the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth).

Philip Salem, national managing partner, said that Sparke Helmore now has 78 partners. The firm more than 700 people working out of eight offices across Australia.


Scott McDonald


Julian McGrath


Related stories:
Sparke Helmore, Jarman McKenna merger goes live
Find your passion and never stop learning, says top lawyer

Recent articles & video

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

Wave of law firm mergers sweeps across the UK despite declining firm numbers

US Justice Department flags Kirkland & Ellis' potential conflict of interest in a bankruptcy case

US Supreme Court permits Idaho to enforce gender-affirming care ban for minors

W+K debuts aviation practice with Clyde & Co lawyer

SA court upholds South Australia's claim on parliamentary privilege and public interest immunity

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