Simpson, an Australian, has spent many years working abroad. He was previously a partner in the London office of the US firm Hunton & Williams, a position he left suddenly in 2012. 

While he was reportedly offered the role to be the CEO of Standard Oil International Limited, based in Hong Kong, he did not take that position.

Simpson was also previously the head of the European projects practice at another US-headquartered firm, Paul Hastings.

Simpson has advised on major energy and infrastructure projects, ranging from motorways and airports across Europe to power stations in India.

He will be supported at Allion by new recruit Rebecca Cifelli, who has been appointed as a senior associate in the firm’s Perth office. Cifelli was previously a senior associate at Hogan Lovells in London.

Allion’s managing principal Phil Lucas said Simpson’s international experience would assist the firm in developing referral links with global and foreign law firms.

The appointments follow the departure of principal Simon Rear and three other lawyers from Allion’s corporate practice last month (3 September). Rear, a senior associate and two associates quit the firm to join Squire Patton Boggs in Perth.

In June, Allion recruited former Arnold Bloch Leibler partner Lisa Merryweather to its Sydney office.

NB: The initial article on this appointment stated that Jonathan Simpson was previously the CEO of Standard Oil International. That is incorrect. While he was reportedly offered the position, with Standard Oil also announcing that Mr Simpson was to assume the CEO's role in February 2012, he never actually formally commenced that role. The article has been amended to reflect that.