Global law firm Ashurst has bolstered its Australian dispute resolution and employment teams with the appointment of two partners, joining from Clayton Utz and Kingston Reid.
Ashurst has strengthened its Australian dispute resolution and employment practices with the appointment of two senior lawyers to its partnership.
Fred Prickett (Melbourne) joins the dispute resolution partnership, while Shelley Williams (Brisbane) strengthens the firm’s employment team.
The global law firm shared how these strategic appointments represent a significant step forward in strengthening its client offering across both practice areas.
With over three decades of experience, Prickett brings deep expertise to advising on complex commercial disputes, class actions, and regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings.
Before joining Ashurst, Prickett built a distinguished career at Clayton Utz, where he was a partner for more than 20 years.
Meanwhile, Williams joins Ashurst from national law firm Kingston Reid, where she spent six years, including more than four years as a partner.
During her time at the firm, Williams grew Kingston Reid’s Brisbane employment and industrial relations practice and also built an international employment practice, collaborating closely with firms across Asia and Europe.
Williams has extensive experience advising employers on employment litigation, workplace investigations, and strategic employment matters.
Neil Pathak, head of Australia at Ashurst, welcomed the appointments, highlighting the depth of experience both partners bring and how their expertise strengthens the firm’s ability to advise clients on high-stakes litigation, regulatory, and employment matters nationwide.
“We are delighted to welcome Fred and Shelley to Ashurst. Fred is an outstanding commercial litigation partner with strong judgement and a collaborative approach,” Pathak said.
“Shelley is a highly accomplished employment partner with a proven ability to build and lead teams.
“Together with the recent hire of Nathan Deveson to our tax team, these strategic appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to servicing our valued clients as trusted advisers on high-stakes litigation, regulatory matters and employment issues across Australia.”
Reflecting on his move, Prickett explained how Ashurst’s commitment to dispute resolution and its broader advisory platform were key factors in his decision, particularly given the firm’s strength in complex litigation and regulatory matters.
“Ashurst’s momentum and investment in dispute resolution present a compelling opportunity to support clients on their most significant matters,” Prickett said.
“I am excited to join a highly collaborative and reputable team and to harness the firm’s Risk Advisory and Ashurst Advance capabilities on complex class actions, regulatory investigations and large-scale litigation.”
Williams shared she was drawn to Ashurst’s global network and cross-office reach, which will allow her to provide integrated employment advice tied to disputes, regulatory, and transactional matters.
“The world of work is changing rapidly. Clients increasingly need employment advice that is seamlessly connected to their disputes, regulatory and transactional priorities. Ashurst’s global network and cross-office reach provide the ideal platform to deliver that integrated service,” Williams said.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across Australia and internationally to help clients navigate their important employment challenges and disputes.”
This news follows the firm’s appointment of a new partner for its projects and energy transition team from NRF at the start of the year and the addition of a senior infrastructure specialist to strengthen its infrastructure and energy transition offering at the end of 2025.
