COVER FEATURE / RISING STARS
Competition
Lena Vanmali, Gilbert + Tobin Admitted: 2011
Matthew Battersby, Clayton Utz
Admitted: 2010
Battersby is a rising star who advises on competition, telecommunications and consumer law, with a focus on the TMT sector. Working with some of the largest device manufacturers and network operators in Australia, Battersby helps his clients navigate regulatory challenges and formulate novel legal solutions so they can continue to develop innovative and productivity-enhancing devices and services in what is a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector. Pro bono forms an important part of Battersby’s practice and he provides advice to charities and victims of crime in addition to his volunteer work at a community legal centre. He was promoted to senior associate in July 2014.
Elizabeth Sarofim, Ashurst Admitted: 2011
Sarofim advises clients on competition law issues in a wide range of industries and has been instrumental in a number of high-profile transactions, including obtaining informal merger clearance from the ACCC for Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility. She has also secured clearance from the ACCC for AGL to acquire the balance of Loy Yang Power. This clearance concluded a landmark regulatory process that had its origins more than a decade ago. In recognition of her achievements, she was appointed as a senior associate in May 2014. Prior to joining Ashurst, Sarofim was a senior project officer at the ACCC.
A lawyer in Gilbert + Tobin’s competition and regulation practice, Vanmali has a proven and recognised track record of delivering commercial and innovative client solutions. She has played an instrumental role in game-changing transactions, like obtaining ACCC clearance for Virgin’s acquisition of 60% of Tiger, a deal of key strategic importance for an industry under heavy regulatory scrutiny. Vanmali takes a leading role in mentoring paralegals, clerks, lawyers and law students through initiatives such as the Sydney University Law Society Women’s Mentoring Program, and guest lectures for the competition law course at Sydney University.
Infrastructure and construction Kathryn McCormack, Clayton Utz Admitted: 2009
McCormack is one of the lawyers to watch at Clayton Utz. A senior associate in the major projects and construction group, she has had pivotal roles on some of the largest transport infrastructure projects in Australia, including the North West Rail Link in NSW, and Legacy Way in Queensland. The high calibre of her legal and commercial acumen is being recognised by both the legal industry and academia. This year she was offered a place on the prestigious Master of Law program at New York University. McCormack is one of only a few hundred students accepted to NYU out of thousands of applicants from around the world. 34 | SEPTEMBER 2014
Fiona Borrelli, Allens Admitted: 2011
Borrelli is a major infrastructure projects specialist and has played pivotal roles in a number of important, large-scale social and economic infrastructure projects. In addition to her technical excellence as a senior associate, clients and colleagues comment on her advanced commercial and relationship skills. She has also been recognised for her strong project management and communication skills, culminating in her ability to work autonomously in leading diverse deal teams. Borrelli recently played a key role in advising the successful consortium for the Queensland Schools Project PPP from bid submission to financial close. Completing in December last year, it is the second-fastest Australian PPP to reach financial close.