Helen Sheridan

Special Counsel Canberra

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Overview

Specialising in property transactions, Helen Sheridan has significant experience in sale and leaseback arrangements and commercial and retail leasing for the Canberra region.

She has a thorough understanding with the forms of Commonwealth Tenant's Lease, through acting for numerous government clients on Agreement for Lease and Lease arrangements.

Helen has been involved in government tendering processes for both Commonwealth and Territory statutory entities. She also has experience in due diligence work and commercial sales and purchases.

Notable Work

Department of Human Services (formerly Medicare Australia): In early 2006, Clayton Utz was appointed as the sole legal provider for Medicare Australia leasing matters. Until recently, this involved managing the day-to-day leasing operations of all of Medicare Australia retail premises Australia-wide. Helen was solely responsible for managing these matters, assisted by a senior associate and leasing clerk.
Recently, Clayton Utz has been appointed to advise on its more complicated leasing transactions from time to time as required, which has involved some advice on surrender and lease termination issues. Helen has also recently been involved in the renegotiation of the Lease for DHS' primary accommodation at 134 Reed Street, Tuggeranong. Her work has involved negotiations on a number of specific issues including the scope of Tenant's works and specific Data Room requirements.
Department of Defence: Acting for Defence, Helen negotiated and finalised an Agreement for Lease and Lease documents for purpose-built accommodation requirements at Raymond Terrace, NSW. She acted in the issuing of an RFT to the market to select the appropriate developer/landlord, evaluation of the tender responses received and negotiation of the lease documents with the preferred tenderer.
Helen is currently involved in the Department's preparation of specific advice on rights under the Raymond Terrace Lease, in light of a potential sale of the Building. She has also recently advised Defence on its Lease for premises at Hume, NSW.
Department of Health: As part of the 2009/2010 accommodation arrangements, Health required a provision of approximately 40,000m2 of office space Helen was involved in the review and drafting of the RFT, lease and agreement to lease terms and advised at Health executive committee meetings.
Helen was required to assess the pre-commitment lease documents against the department's specific (integrated) fit-out requirements for the proposed development. She also advised on the stamp duty savings mechanisms and ensured all procurement documentation operated to Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines.
ACT Land Development Agency: Helen advised LDA on its bid to provide new office accommodation for Education/Employment (formerly DEEWR) with a development partner. She issued the RFT for partner selection and drafted a put and call option deed to provide for the transfer of the land to the development partner.
Helen ensured the partner satisfied a number of conditions precedent with the Department and reviewed the Agreement for Lease and Lease to respond to its accommodation requirements.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority: Helen acted on the leasing accommodation on Northbourne Avenue in Civic. This required extensive negotiation on the Commonwealth form of Agreement for Lease and Lease – particularly on the delivery model of the tenant's fit-out and associated landlord's refurbishment works. She also advised on make good obligations under the existing lease.
Cancer Australia: The organisation leased new accommodation on Northbourne Avenue, with Helen acting on the Agreement for Lease and Lease. Her drafting of a ""contractor's deed"" reduced potential risk to Cancer Australia by providing for indemnities from the contractor undertaking the fit-out works for Cancer Australia.
Molonglo Group: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission wished to lease commercial offices premises at Molonglo Group's New Acton development in City West. Helen acted on the extensive negotiation of the terms of the Agreement For Lease and Lease.

Helen Sheridan

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