Johnson joins as Simpson exits A&O

Law firm Allen & Overy has recruited Matthew Johnson from the rapidly shrinking Perth office of Hogan Lovells, ahead of the planned retirement of A&O’s top Perth partner Geoff Simpson.

Mr Johnson will be joining A&O as a partner to co-lead its Global Mining sector - the same role currently held by Mr Simpson.

A&O said his recruitment would allow adequate timing and transition ahead of Mr Simpson’s exit but acknowledged his start date was not yet confirmed.

Mr Johnson’s exit comes shortly after two Counsel left Hogan Lovells.

James Hewer joined Clifford Chance last month while Michael Brady joined HWL Ebsworth Lawyers in May.

That followed the exit of three associates last year, leaving the firm with just one Perth-based lawyer, associate Raphael Parvin.

Mr Johnson had been with Hogan Lovells for five years and before that was a partner at Clayton Utz.

In that capacity, he would have worked alongside Mr Simpson, who was one of three Clayton Utz partners in Perth – along with Meredith Campion and Peter Wilkes – who left in 2010 to establish A&O’s Perth office.

That was one of the first big moves in a wave of international law firms establishing a presence in Perth.

Since that time, A&O has gradually expanded its Perth presence.

It currently has six partners and 32 legal professionals, ranking it number 24 on the Data & Insights listing of law firms in WA.

A&O’s main focus has been energy and resources and it has worked on some of WA’s largest M&A deals for clients including Sandfire Resources and Pilbara Minerals.

A&O’s Global Mining sector lead Gerhard Rudolph said Mr Johnson would provide specialist mining capacity across Australia, Asia Pacific and globally.

“As Perth continues to be a centre of excellence for mining, Matthew’s appointment maintains our senior presence in the Perth market,” Mr Rudolph said.

Mr Johnson’s clients have included Oracle Corporation and Swissport International along with local firms Wolf Minerals, Peninsula Energy and Grange Resources.

Business News approached Hogan Lovells for comment on the future of its Perth office.