JWS adds to its energy and resources offering in WA

Leading energy and resources lawyer Darren Grondal has joined Johnson Winter & Slattery as a consultant. Darren joined the firm’s Perth office as of 24 August 2020.

Bringing more than 30 years’ experience as a lawyer and in related commercial roles, Darren is widely recognised for his expertise in competition law and infrastructure access regulation. He will provide specialist expertise to the firm’s clients operating in the electricity, gas, rail, water, port, transport and mining sectors.

Prior to joining Johnson Winter & Slattery, Darren cofounded the boutique commercial law and litigation firm Grondal Bruining serving as its inaugural Managing Director. He was previously a Partner at Ashurst for more than 10 years.

Darren’s work in competition law covers all forms of restrictive trade practices (eg cartels, M&A, misuse of market power, exclusive dealing, RPM and anti-competitive arrangements) and he has a wealth of experience in access regulation, ranging across both Federal and State based regimes and across rail, port, electricity and gas infrastructure. He also regularly advises on statutory interpretation, administrative law, economic and market regulation, and commercial law.

Managing Partner Peter Slattery said the firm was excited to welcome Darren on board.

“Darren has built a strong reputation in the West Australian market for his specialist expertise and deep industry know-how. We have one of the largest and most widely experienced energy and resources practices in Australia. His expertise will perfectly complement the team and provide a unique insight for our clients in the region.”

Darren has been consistently recognised by independent ranking directories as a leading lawyer in energy law, natural resources law and competition law. In addition, he has lectured at Curtin University Law School in Competition Law and Policy, served on the Curtin Law School Advisory Board, and was Deputy Chair of the Law Council of Australia’s Competition and Consumer Law Committee (Perth).

Darren’s experience includes:

• acting for Co-operative Bulk Handling  in seeking and negotiating a long term rail access contract under the Western Australian Rail Access Regimeadvising a commodity producer on competition law issues associated with the international joint marketing of substantial amounts of a major commodity into various Asian jurisdictions
• acting for EnerNOC in a Supreme Court challenge to the validity of amendments to the Western Australian Wholesale Electricity Market Rules in relation to the participation of demand side management in the wholesale electricity market’s “reserve capacity mechanism”

• advising a utilities company on complex competition law issues associated with a potential long term “take or pay” supply contract
• acting for a utility company in relation to pipeline capacity trading reform amendments made to the National Gas Law and National Gas Rules, including seeking derogations

 

About Johnson Winter & Slattery

Johnson Winter & Slattery is an independent national Australian law firm with over 65 partners and offices across Australia. We advise major Australian and international corporations and investment funds on their most challenging transactions and disputes across Australia and surrounding regions. Working closely with clients, knowing their business, and appreciating their commercial objectives, we tailor our approach to deliver cost-effective commercial outcomes.

Media contacts:  

Daya Knapton, Communications Manager E: Daya.Knapton@jws.com.au T: +61 2 8247 9638

Kate Potter, Business Development Director E: Kate.Potter@jws.com.au T: +61 2 8247 9659

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