Multinational law firm Bird & Bird has appointed a new partner, Chris Case, to the firm’s commercial team in Sydney, where he will have a focus on the defence and energy and utilities sectors, commencing on 1 October 2025.
Chris Clarke and Rich Hawkins, recently appointed co-heads of Bird & Bird’s Australia office, said: “Chris’s appointment is a major boost to our Australian team.”
Case has experience in “complex commercial and regulatory matters, particularly across defence procurement, infrastructure delivery, and strategic outsourcing”, the firm said.
“His deep sector knowledge and collaborative approach will be invaluable as we continue to expand our work in defence and energy and utilities. We’re excited to have him on board,” Clarke and Hawkins said.
International co-heads of Bird & Bird’s aviation and defence sector, Mark Leach (London) and Jonathon Ellis (Sydney), said: “Chris brings a rare combination of technical insight and strategic acumen in defence matters.”
The firm said, Case’s arrival marks continued growth in the firm’s Australian operations, “delivering sector-led expertise to clients both domestically and internationally”.
This news follows the addition of Ebony Reckless as a projects associate to the firm’s commercial team in Sydney.
She will support Case and the team and “will play a key role in delivering high-quality support across defence and energy mandates”, the firm stated.
These appointments follow the firm’s acquisition of a DLA Piper partner in November and its addition of two partners in October.
“His experience advising on high-profile projects and navigating complex regulatory landscapes will be a tremendous asset to our global defence sector group,” Leach and Ellis said.
