Business Details
Trusted Commercial Legal Solutions in Sydney
HWL Ebsworth Lawyers is a national, full-service commercial law firm with a proven track record of delivering tailored legal solutions to local and international clients. Established in 1897 and now operating as Australia's largest legal partnership, we combine deep industry expertise with a client-centric approach to navigate complex legal challenges. Our team of over 270 partners and 1,700 staff across every Australian state and territory provides cross-disciplinary advice grounded in practical commercial outcomes. With a culture of collaboration and innovation, we challenge traditional legal models to prioritise measurable results without compromising integrity.Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our work with major corporations, government bodies, and private clients, supported by dedicated pro bono initiatives and a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. We maintain rigorous compliance with regulatory standards while adapting to evolving legal landscapes through continuous investment in technology and professional development.
Services
Agribusiness Law
Automotive Regulation
Banking Finance
Capital Markets
Commercial Contracting
Competition Law
Corporate Governance
Dispute Resolution
Renewable Energy
Workplace Relations
Highlights and features
- We are Australia's largest legal partnership with offices in every state and territory
- Our team provides cross-disciplinary legal expertise across 20+ industry sectors
- We maintain a 1:6 partner-to-staff ratio for direct client access to decision-makers
- Our pro bono practice contributed nearly 40,000 hours of community legal assistance last year
- We pioneered Australia's first fully integrated national law firm model
Services
Agribusiness Legal Services
Our agribusiness specialists provide comprehensive legal solutions for agricultural operations, including property transactions, regulatory compliance, and corporate structuring. We advise on water rights, carbon credits, and foreign investment approvals while supporting clients through mergers and acquisitions in the agricultural sector. Our team combines deep industry knowledge with practical commercial insights to help agribusinesses navigate complex regulatory frameworks.
Automotive Industry Regulation
We offer tailored legal advice to automotive dealers, manufacturers, and industry associations on regulatory compliance, dealership agreements, and consumer law matters. Our services include competition law guidance, contract negotiations, and dispute resolution for automotive sector participants. With ongoing regulatory updates, we help clients maintain compliance while optimising business operations in this rapidly evolving industry.
Banking and Finance
Our banking and finance team advises domestic and international financial institutions on complex transactions including acquisition finance, real estate finance, and structured lending. We provide regulatory compliance guidance and risk management solutions while facilitating cross-border financings for major infrastructure and corporate clients. Our expertise extends to securitisation and project finance across multiple industry sectors.
Capital Markets
We assist clients with debt and equity capital market transactions, including IPOs, bond issuances, and hybrid securities offerings. Our team advises on ASX compliance, disclosure obligations, and regulatory frameworks for both issuers and underwriters. With extensive experience in complex financial instruments, we help clients structure transactions that balance regulatory requirements with commercial objectives.
Dispute Resolution
Our dispute resolution practice handles complex commercial litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution processes. We represent clients in contractual disputes, regulatory investigations, and insolvency matters while focusing on achieving commercially viable outcomes. With specialists in class actions and regulatory enforcement, we provide strategic advice to minimise litigation risks and resolve conflicts efficiently.
People
Kris Hopkins
Chief Executive Officer
Kris Hopkins leads HWL Ebsworth's strategic operations from Melbourne, bringing extensive legal industry leadership experience to drive the firm's growth and client-focused initiatives.
Russell Mailler
Chief Executive Partner
Russell Mailler oversees partner relations and business development in Melbourne, leveraging his commercial law expertise to strengthen the firm's market position and client relationships.
Jamie Restas
Chair of Partners
Jamie Restas chairs the Board of Partners in Adelaide, guiding governance and strategic direction with decades of legal practice experience across corporate and regulatory matters.
Carl Newton
Special Counsel
Carl Newton provides specialist legal advice in Sydney, focusing on acquisition finance and banking law with a track record of handling complex financial transactions for major institutions.
Sarah Sealy
Partner
Sarah Sealy leads commercial contracting matters in Hobart, combining legal expertise with industry-specific knowledge to deliver practical solutions for government and private sector clients.
Questions
What areas of law does HWL Ebsworth Lawyers specialise in?
We specialise in commercial law across 20+ practice areas including agribusiness, automotive regulation, banking and finance, capital markets, competition law, corporate governance, and renewable energy.
In which locations does HWL Ebsworth Lawyers operate?
We operate from offices in every Australian state and territory, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, and Hobart.
What makes HWL Ebsworth Lawyers different from other law firms?
We combine Australia's largest legal partnership with a client-focused model that prioritises measurable outcomes, direct partner access, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Does HWL Ebsworth Lawyers offer pro bono services?
Yes, our pro bono practice provided nearly 40,000 hours of legal assistance last year to vulnerable individuals and community organisations across Australia.
How experienced is the HWL Ebsworth team?
With 270+ partners and over 1,700 staff, our team includes specialists with decades of experience across legal, regulatory, and industry-specific domains.
