Congratulations to Julian McGrath and Renée Sadler

20-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 pleased to announce that Partners Julian McGrath and Renée Sadler have been recognised as 'Lawyer of the Year' in their respective categories by Best Lawyers 2027.

Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honoured as the 'Lawyer of the Year', making this a significant and coveted accolade. Receiving this designation reflects the high level of respect our lawyers have earned among other leading lawyers in the same practice areas for their abilities, professionalism and integrity.

Congratulations to Julian and Renée for being recognised in the following practice areas:

Julian McGrath – Product Liability Litigation
Renée Sadler – Personal Injury Litigation

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.