Media Release: Clayton Utz attracts top environment and planning lawyer as a partner in Perth

Lucy advises clients in a range of sectors – including energy and resources, property, infrastructure, food, industrial, agribusiness, and government – on all aspects of compliance with environment and planning laws, as well as on climate change and sustainability related matters.

Her clients value her experience in providing whole-of-project-cycle advice, from initial risk assessment, securing project approvals and advising on regulatory compliance, to undertaking investigations and responding to, and defending, prosecutions in respect of environmental incidents. Lucy is also experienced in handling native title and indigenous cultural heritage matters, as well as planning approvals and appeals, land remediation and compulsory acquisition compensation matters.

Lucy began her legal career in 2006 as an associate to the Hon. Justices Carmel McLure AC, QC and Christine Wheeler AO, QC (former president and inaugural judge of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Western Australia respectively) before joining our firm as a lawyer in 2007. Lucy went on to work at Corrs for nine years (being promoted to special counsel in that time) before joining HWL Ebsworth as a partner in 2019.

National Practice Group Leader for Environment and Planning at Clayton Utz, Claire Smith, said she was pleased to attract Lucy back to the firm:

Lucy has built a reputation in the market as a go-to adviser in this area of practice, which is increasingly complex and requires an understanding of the intricacies of the law combined with a practical, commercially minded approach. 

Our clients, particularly our WA-based clients, will benefit from Lucy's experience on both projects as well as 'business as usual' operational matters. With companies also focusing on their ESG agendas as the world transitions to a zero-carbon economy, Lucy also brings an understanding of sustainability standards and their practical application.