Rebecca Carroll specialises in contractual and regulatory advice work, and corporate and commercial projects and transactions in the Energy and Resources sectors. She has been involved in various significant transactions both in Australia and overseas, including several major utility privatisation transactions.
What is your name and practice area?
My name is Rebecca Carroll and I practise in energy and natural resources.
Why did you choose this area of specialisation?
I didn't so much choose it as it chose me. I started as a very junior solicitor in the mid 90s in Victoria at the time of the privatisation of the gas and electricity industries. I got drawn into that process and developed some knowledge and have really stayed in that area for the whole of my career.
What are some of the current trends you are seeing in your area?
Well, the energy and resources sector is a booming area and there are multiple trends at the moment. It's going to continue to boom as the growth of India and China places more and more demand for Australian resources. Of particular interest to me is the development of the coal seam gas sector in Queensland for the LNG market.
One of the other key areas that's going to drive some developments in the energy and resources sector over the next couple of years is the implementation of potential carbon trading schemes. That will certainly have an impact on the sector and might, in fact, drive the development of new industries such as uranium mining and nuclear energy.
What have you enjoyed most about your career at Clayton Utz so far?
I've enjoyed the ability to work with the biggest energy and resources team in Queensland where I can draw upon the skills of some really experienced and good energy and resources practitioners, as well as a full range of specialty legal service areas. For me, one of the most important things about working at Clayton Utz over the last few years has been the ability to get involved in the development of the Queensland coal seam gas industry pretty much since its inception as a commercial prospect.
As a new partner at Clayton Utz, what are you looking forward to most?
I'm looking forward to continuing to work with a group of really terrific energy and resources practitioners and I'm also, in particular, looking forward to developing our LNG practice and really becoming involved in the development of Queensland as an LNG export jurisdiction.
If you weren't a Partner at Clayton Utz, what would you be?
I am a keen gardener and I harbour a secret desire to open a little nursery somewhere, potentially with a homewares and interiors little boutique attached.
What are some of the things you enjoy doing in your spare time?
As I said, I love gardening and love getting out into the garden on the weekend. I do Pilates and I run but most of my time, frankly, is spent by providing a taxi service for my three young children.
