DLA Piper global co-chair of energy and natural resources Alex Jones commented: “This growth allows us to better leverage the benefits of DLA Piper’s global footprint on cross-border mandates involving in-bound and out-bound investment.”

After working for Herbert Smith Freehills in London, Owen Alcon is returning to Australia as partner in the finance, projects and restructurings (FP&R) practice in Perth, effective immediately.

Mr Alcorn has extensive international experience with a variety of financing transactions, such as project finance, acquisition finance, and general corporate finance. He will concentrate on assisting the mining industry, particularly in Perth, where the firm has an extensive pipeline of projects. Additionally, in his new role, he will represent lenders and sponsors on infrastructure and renewable energy projects throughout Australia.

Matthew Watkins is joining the firm from Gilbert + Tobin as a partner. Mr Watkins is a seasoned corporate lawyer who advises on the full range of private and public mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets transactions, particularly in the energy and natural resources sector.

In a statement, the firm said: “After the appointment last year of James Nicholls, the addition of Matthew gives us strength and depth to support the heavy domestic demand we are seeing in the junior and mid-cap markets.”

Neil Macdonald joined the Perth office after relocating from the Hong Kong office as FP&R special counsel. Mr Macdonald has extensive experience working on projects in the energy and natural resources sector, in particular in natural gas and LNG.

He will maintain his focus on Asia while also strengthening the domestic offering.

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“This is about investing in the next generation that are going to lead DLA Piper’s ENR sector offering for years to come,” Mr Jones proclaimed.