2026 Doyle's Guide recognitions

20-February-2026

Merryn Stewart
Director of Business Development Marketing Events and Communications
Sparke Helmore Lawyers

Merryn Stewart
Director of Business Development Marketing Events and Communications
Sparke Helmore Lawyers
t: +61 2 9260 2591

Merryn has worked for many years across brand, marketing and communications. She spent 18 years based in London working for various legal and accounting firms, before returning to Australia in 2008 to continue her career in professional services.

We are pleased to share that the 2026 Doyle’s Guide rankings have been announced for Employment and Workplace Health & Safety and our firm has been recognised across several categories and locations.

The firm has been recognised in the following categories:

Leading Workplace Health & Safety Law Firm – SA, 2026 (First Tier)
Leading Workplace Health & Safety Law Firm – Victoria, 2026 (Second Tier)
Leading Workplace Health & Safety Law Firms – NSW, 2026 (Second Tier)
Leading Workplace Health & Safety Law Firm – Queensland, 2026 (Recommended)
Leading Employment Law Firm (Employer Representation) – Canberra, 2026 (Recommended)
Leading Employment Law Firms (Employer Representation) – NSW, 2026 (Recommended)

Within the legal community, our colleagues have also acknowledged the following for their skills and expertise.

Congratulations to the following individuals:

NSW

Bill Kritharas, Leading Workplace Health & Safety Lawyers – NSW, 2026 (Leading)
Roland Hassall, Leading Employment Lawyers (Employer Representation) – NSW, 2026 (Recommended)

VIC

Sam Jackson, Leading Workplace Health & Safety Lawyers – Victoria, 2026 (Preeminent)

SA

Luke Holland, Leading Employment Lawyers (Employer Representation) – South Australia, 2026 (Leading) and Leading Workplace Health & Safety Lawyers – South Australia, 2026 (Preeminent)

We also had a rising star mentioned in the latest round of recognition. Congratulations to:

Elyse Galvin recognised in the NSW Employment & WHS Rising Stars category.

About Sparke Helmore

We’ve come a long way since our doors first opened in the Hunter in 1882. We’ve had an office in Sydney since the ‘60s and we recently opened our tenth office in Cairns.

We cover six key areas of law – Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Insurance, Government, Property Environment & Finance, Statutory Lines of Insurance and Workplace – with more than 30 specialised areas of expertise. We’re a truly national, full service and proudly Australian firm that delivers results through deep collaboration with our clients. Wherever our clients need us, that’s where we’ll be.

Covering a big country needs a big team—we’re more than 1000 people now and still growing. And in true Australian spirit, we’re friendly, approachable and easy to work with. And when you work with one of us, you get the expertise of all of us.

04-02-2026 | Shannon Platt ranked in the World's Leading Trademark Professionals

03-02-2026 | Doyle's Guide recognition - Aviation and Maritime

29-01-2026 | Paul Calvert joins Sparke Helmore's major projects and construction team in Brisbane

28-01-2026 | Sparke Helmore welcomes Martin Kelly as a Special Counsel

22-01-2026 | Sparke Helmore announces Partner, Special Counsel and Senior Associate new year promotions

16-01-2026 | Sparke Helmore recognised in the 2026 Legal 500 Asia Pacific guide

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