Conference Speaker - Attorney Generals department - China Conference 1985

Office Reception

Victoria Derby Day - Nov 2007

MOU Signing Ceremony - China Consultancy

Our Lawyers

Our firm's lawyers have degrees from Australia, the United States, England, China and New Zealand and collectively have worked on projects in more than 30 countries covering all continents. Our lawyers bring to the firm a depth of experience on major project work, especially with China, which is unmatched by most Australian law firms. In the China context, the experience available to clients have been developed over a period of more than 26 years of working with China and which pre-dated the establishment of the firm.

The firm's senior partner, Robin H Chambers, was one of the founders of the firm in 1984. Prior to that he had been General Counsel of CRA Limited (now Rio Tinto Limited) for 14 years. He graduated with degrees in Australia and the United States, and was an associate with Chadbourne & Parke LLP in New York before returning to Australia to join CRA.

Over a 30 year career as an international lawyer, he has been general counsel on numerous projects, including many of the major resources projects developed in Australia, as well on projects across Asia and the other continents.

He was co-founder of the Australian Mining & Petroleum Law Association and one time President. This body is the leading resources and energy law organization in Australia.

He has been a member of the Victorian Board Executive Committee of the Australia China Business Council since 1986 and following its merger with the ACCCI in the mid 1990s held the position of State Vice President for some years. He was made a life member in 2007.

He is the only non-Chinese director of the Chinese Government-owned Sinosteel Australia Pty Ltd, a director of Wuhan Steels Australian Subsidiary, a director of YTC Resources, appointed by Yunnan Tin Group Company Ltd and Co Chairman of the China Advisory Board of Fortescue Metals Group.

The firm's senior consultant, John G Grace, was previously a senior partner in Freehills, a major Australian international law firm, where he headed the firm's energy and natural resources practice in Melbourne. Prior to that he had been Chief Legal Officer of BHP Petroleum worldwide for eight years and a member of the international executive committee. He has degrees in law and management.

Over a 25 year career as an international lawyer, he has been actively involved in major resources projects in over 30 different countries. As well as on mining and oil and gas projects, he has been an adviser for major infrastructure projects, forestry operations and international shipping groups.

He was a council member of the International Bar Association's Section on Energy & Natural Resources Law for 10 years, including being chairman of its oil law committee. He has been a director of public and private companies, both listed and non-listed, and written numerous articles in academic and business journals.