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Quality and consistency through collaboration

We are pleased to announce that Woods Prince Lawyers has merged with Sparke Helmore, effective 31 March 2025.  This merger brings on board two senior partners—Heather Beckingsale and Aston Joppich—along with a team of nine lawyers, five paralegals and six legal support staff. As a result, Sparke Helmore’s Corporate and Commercial team will more than double in size, significantly strengthening its presence in Brisbane and across Queensland, positioning it as one of the largest law firms in the State.

WPL is a specialist corporate and commercial law firm that focuses on various practice areas including commercial law, property law, mergers and acquisitions, general contract arrangements, intellectual property (including trademarks), franchise arrangements, wills and estate planning, and commercial litigation and dispute resolution.  It assists clients in various sectors including medical, maritime, retail, property, metal recycling, insurance, software, and professional services.

Andrew White, National Managing Partner said, ‘We are very pleased to be joining forces with Woods Prince Lawyers. They are a firm known for developing strong relationships with their clients and treating their staff like family. Their values strongly align with those of Sparke Helmore, making this an excellent cultural fit. The addition of Heather, Aston and their team allows us to expand our offerings in the region, with mutually beneficial synergies between our two practices.’

Heather Beckingsale, the outgoing Managing Director of WPL added, ‘This is a tremendous opportunity for our firm to merge with a well-established national firm that is committed to a strong local presence. This collaboration will provide us with opportunities for professional growth and development, allowing us to engage with new clients and to expand the services we can offer our loyal WPL client base. We are all eager to embark on this journey and look forward to an exciting future together.’ 

WPL will become part of our Corporate & Commercial Practice Group.  Alongside Heather and Aston, the team includes Consultant Matthew Woods, Special Counsels Brendan Ezzy and Rebecca O’Loan, Senior Associate Marjorie Toledo, Associates Jacob Lobban and Marcus Malouf, and Lawyers Andrew Patterson, Gabryel McNamara and Michelé Du Buisson.

With this addition, Sparke Helmore Queensland will have 18 partners and a total headcount of just under 140 lawyers and legal support staff.

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 880 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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