Sparke Helmore announces five new partners

Congratulations to Alanna Lucchese and Adam Cunynghame from our Government, Public & Regulatory team based in Canberra and Melbourne respectively, Max Calligeros from our Statutory Lines Insurance team based in Adelaide, Alex Caldwell from our Property, Environment & Planning practice based in Newcastle, and Matthew O’Sullivan from our Banking & Finance team based in Sydney and Newcastle, who have been promoted to partner.

• Alanna Lucchese is an accomplished administrative and regulatory lawyer within our Government, Public & Regulatory team. She advises Government agencies on issues of statutory interpretation, administrative decision-making, regulatory action, and litigation strategy. Alanna is also an experienced litigator regularly appearing as solicitor advocate in the Federal Courts and manages high profile and sensitive litigation involving significant implications for Commonwealth administrative and regulatory law, including before the High Court.
• Adam Cunynghame specialises in administrative law and has in-house government experience.  He represents Commonwealth Government entities in matters involving statutory interpretation, merits review and judicial review in the Administrative Review Tribunal, Federal Circuit and Family Court, Federal Court, and High Court. Adam is an experienced solicitor-advocate and regularly provides advice to his clients concerning the impact of court resolutions on Commonwealth Government operations and policies.
• Max Calligeros specialises in state-based workers’ compensation litigation, advising both registered agents and self-insured clients.  He provides strategic advice at all levels of claims management and is involved in litigation from beginning to end. Max provides comprehensive written advice on liability, quantum, and strategy and focuses on minimising claims liability from the outset of a dispute and is adept at articulating and defending his clients’ positions.
• Alex Caldwell is a property lawyer with a primary focus on property development, land and water acquisitions and sales, and complex land access and tenure arrangements for mining projects and other major infrastructure. Alex also advises private landowners in relation to renewable energy projects. She has extensive experience in negotiating wind and solar farm option and lease agreements and regularly acts for landowners in compulsory acquisition matters within Renewable Energy Zones.
• Matthew O’Sullivan is an experienced banking and finance lawyer across a range of industries and the full range of debt products, with a focus on business banking, real estate finance, leveraged and acquisition finance, food & beverage, construction, project and infrastructure, and asset finance. Matthew also has expertise in cross-border club and syndicated financings as well as security and restructuring issues, including intercreditor and subordination arrangements.

Andrew White, Sparke Helmore’s National Managing Partner, said, “I’m proud to see the appointment of Alanna, Adam, Max, Alex, and Matthew to our growing partnership. They are all exceptionally talented lawyers and recognised as leaders in their respective areas of law. Their promotion is a testament to the hard work they have put in to reach this career milestone and highlights the wealth of talent within our firm.” 

Recently, we have also welcomed eleven lateral partners. “I am excited that eleven lateral partners have recently joined us, allowing us to expand and enhance our services. We place a great deal of importance on cultural fit when we look to bring talent into the firm. Vanessa Maruna, Hamish Fraser, Jason Kwan, Matt Ellis, David Kerwin, Thea Price, Heather Beckingsale, Aston Joppich, Ben Burke, Stephen Putnins, and George Roussos each bring outstanding qualities that not only strengthen our firm but also align with our values”, added Andrew White.