Celebrating our Partner of the Year Finalists!

16-April-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 excited to announce that three of our Partners, Matt Ellis, Shannon Platt and Chantal Tipene, have been named finalists in this year’s Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards!

The Partner of the Year Awards identifies the legal partners, or partner equivalents, across individual practice areas within the Australian legal profession.

The awards are regarded as one of the legal profession's most prestigious accolades and pinpoint professional development and innovation, showcasing the individuals who are leading the way in the industry.

Matt has been named a finalist in the Insurance Partner and Financial Services Partner of the Year categories.
Shannon has been named a finalist in the Intellectual Property Partner of the Year category.
Chantal has been named a finalist in the Government Partner of the Year category.

Click here to view the full list of finalists.

The winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony being held on Thursday 4 June at the Star in Sydney.

Please join us in congratulating Matt, Shannon and Chantal, and wishing them the very best for the awards!

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.

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10-04-2026 | Wayne Kaplan recognised in the 2026 Doyle's Guide

26-03-2026 | Sparke Helmore recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality

24-03-2026 | Doyle's Guide recognition for our NSW Town Planning & Development Lawyers

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