Ben Hughes

Gerry is the Co-Head of our M&A (Private) and Equity Capital Markets (Private) practices. He h as been advising on capital raising transactions, mergers and acquisitions and capital structuring for over 30 years in key financial markets including Sydney, Hong Kong and London. He is a trusted advisor to our clients. Gerry’s experience includes leading the Kain teams advising: sportsmed on the sale of their hospital to Burnside War Memorial Hospital; SILK Laser Clinics (ASX:SLA) on it...

Alyce Ricciardi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Private Equity Law. Alyce, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alyce is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sam McGrath leads the Employment and Industrial Relations team at Cowell Clarke. Sam’s primary focus is in the area of employment and industrial relations law, where he provides advice and representation to corporate and business employers. With broad-based experience in litigation, Sam brings a unique background and astute insight to his specialisation in employment law. In 2017 Sam was appointed by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) as principal solicitor assisting...

With over a decade of experience specialising in commercial litigation and dispute resolution; Lauren’s clients rely on her to deliver commercial certainty in Transaction Disputes. Lauren’s recent experience includes: Advising a manufacturing client in an arbitration relating to a commercial construction contract dispute; Advising SILK Laser Clinics (ASX:SLA) on its proposed acquisition by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) (a subsidiary of Wesfarmers (ASX:WES)) by way of ...

Zoe Dempster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation. Zoe, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Zoe is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Toya Nguyen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation. Toya, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Toya is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Digby Luckhurst-Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation. Digby, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Digby is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Symoane Mercurio is a Director within Cowell Clarke’s Dispute Resolution team which incorporates Insolvency and Turnaround. Symoane Mercurio adopts a commercial and pragmatic approach on all matters to ensure she provides clear, practical and strategic advice to enable her client’s to meet their legal and commercial objectives. Her expertise has been recognised by her inclusion in Best Lawyers in Australia since 2021 for Alternative Dispute Resolution and Litigation Law. Symoane b...

Josh acts for innovative businesses and institutions, including technology companies, manufacturers, and franchise networks. He also advises institutional clients and government on complex regulatory matters (including major projects and outsourcing), and technology procurement. Josh advises on all aspects of intellectual property creation, acquisition, commercialisation, protection and enforcement of intellectual property assets. He has particular expertise in trade mark prosecution and enfo...

Matthew Hawke is Special Counsel in Cowell Clarke’s Building, Construction & Infrastructure and Dispute Resolution teams. Matthew has broad experience in construction advice and disputes (including construction contract drafting and advice), compulsory acquisition disputes, and the construction industry security of payment regimes across Australia. When not working in the construction space, Matthew supports clients in negotiating or litigating their general contractual, misrepresen...