Paul Sutherland
Head of Communications •
Melbourne
Media release: Clayton Utz promotes two to partnership in Darwin and Sydney
1.5 mins
We are pleased to announce the promotion of two senior lawyers to our partnership. Sydney-based special counsel Elizabeth Forbes and Cynthia Elachi, who have public sector and workplace relations expertise respectively, have joined the partnership effective 1 April 2025.
Ms Elachi will continue to be based in Sydney while Ms Forbes will shortly relocate to Darwin to boost the firm's Northern Territory team. Clayton Utz Chief Executive Partner Emma Covacevich said the promotions reflected shifting client needs and would bolster the firm's workplace relations and public sector offerings.
Liz and Cynthia have extensive experience in their respective legal fields, both having advised clients in the private and public sector. I'm pleased to welcome both outstanding lawyers to our partnership.
Elizabeth Forbes
Ms Forbes, who joined Clayton Utz in 2018, has extensive experience advising state and Commonwealth governments and private sector clients. She has significant technical expertise in government practice, particularly with inquiries, inquests, royal commissions, investigations, administrative law, information protection (such as public interest immunity), complex advisory work and litigation. She has worked on a significant number of high-profile inquiries, coronial inquests and royal commissions.
'Liz has had a career that's included more than a decade working in-house for the Australian Federal Police, giving her a deep understanding of the legal needs of public sector organisations,' Ms Covacevich said. 'Both government and private sector organisations benefit from her strategic focus, technical skills and pragmatic approach.'
'With her relocation to Darwin, Liz's expertise will strengthen our offering in the Northern Territory, which is undergoing a period of incredible development and is set to be a growing contributor to Australia's economy.'
Cynthia Elachi
Ms Elachi specialises in employment law, litigation and workplace investigations, and has been a lawyer at Clayton Utz since 2005.
'Cynthia has a wealth of experience in employment law having practiced for more than 20 years in the field, advising on complex workplace issues and conducting major workplace investigations,' Ms Covacevich said. 'Her expert counsel will be increasingly important for clients navigating the changing employment law landscape and grappling with underpayment issues and increased regulatory compliance.'
'Cynthia is highly regarded for her work as an external workplace investigator, having conducted investigations for a number of high-profile clients in the telecommunications, IT, media and education sectors.'
'Cynthia's expertise is highly sought after by clients across industries and her promotion to partner is not only a reflection of her dedication and experience, but is driven by a growing need for workplace relations legal advice.'
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Disclaimer
Clayton Utz communications are intended to provide commentary and general information. They should not be relied upon as legal advice. Formal legal advice should be sought in particular transactions or on matters of interest arising from this communication. Persons listed may not be admitted in all States and Territories.