Herbert Smith Freehills adds renowned competition partner to market-leading team in Australia

Herbert Smith Freehills has bolstered its market-leading global Competition, Regulation and Trade (CRT) practice with the appointment of partner Linda Evans in Sydney.

Ms Evans, who joins the firm from Clayton Utz, will work closely with Liza Carver, the firm’s Australian Regional Head of Practice – CRT, to advise clients on all aspects of trade practices and competition law. She starts at the firm today.

Ms Evans’ expertise extends across merger clearances, enforcement proceedings, cartel investigations and immunity applications,  structuring and advising on joint venture, supply and distribution arrangements, and regulation of major infrastructure.

Ms Evans has a strong background in contentious matters and is highly regarded for her specialised work on mergers and in third party access. She recently advised Vodafone plc on its merger with TPG, Pacific National on the acquisition of the Acacia Ridge Terminal from Aurizon and Seven West Media in its sale of Pacific Magazines to Bauer.

Liza Carver said: “Linda is widely considered to be one of Australia’s best competition partners and her addition to the firm cements our position as the preeminent legal advisor in competition, regulation and trade.

“Linda is highly sought-after for her pragmatic, nuanced advice and her extensive experience in navigating complex issues and market dynamics across a wide range of industries and sectors.

“Given increased activity by the ACCC, especially in relation to company separations and M&A clearances, Australian companies are increasingly focused on regulatory compliance and risk. Our clients will therefore benefit immensely from Linda’s deep understanding of the ACCC, her sophisticated commercial approach and her demonstrated ability to find novel solutions to complex issues.”

Andrew Pike, Herbert Smith Freehills’ Executive Partner, East, added, “I would like to welcome Linda to our partnership. Like Liza, Linda is one of the most highly regarded competition experts in the country. The combined expertise that she, Liza and the rest of the team will bring to bear for clients will be second to none.”

Linda Evans said: “Herbert Smith Freehills is a world-class international firm.  I am delighted to be joining the firm and am looking forward to working with an outstanding group of people.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Linda Evans has strong market credentials, including:

• Chambers Asia-Pacific: ranked as a leading individual for Competition Anti-Trust (2012-2020)
• The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: ranked as one of Australia's leading lawyers for Competition and trade (2013-2020)
• IFLR 1000: recognised as one of Australia's leading Competition lawyers (2011-2020)
• Best Lawyers Australia: Named Lawyer of the Year, Regulatory Practice, Sydney (2014 and 2017-2018)

Herbert Smith Freehills’ market-leading Australian Competition, Regulation and Trade team regularly advise on the market’s most significant and high-profile matters. Most recently, they have advised:

• TPG Telecom on its $15 billion merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia in the Federal Court of Australia.
• Citi in relation to its landmark criminal cartel prosecution brought by the ACCC and the CDPP; and
• A leading digital platform on the ACCC’s Digital Platforms Inquiry and related regulatory mandates.