Government

Norton Rose Fulbright has long-established relationships with Commonwealth, state and local government departments, agencies and local councils and is recognised as being a preferred legal adviser through its multiple panel appointments.

“Established team, noted both for its regular representation of Commonwealth government bodies and for its prominence on numerous state government panels.”   Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2020

We regularly advise government across a full range of legal and regulatory areas. Our national government team is experienced in operating within the government environment, and understand this is shaped by factors such as complex policy and legal frameworks and a culture of consultation, accountability, public scrutiny and high visibility.

Our lawyers are experienced in assisting clients in complex matters including the procurement and maintenance of key infrastructure and materiel, acting in sensitive and high-profile investigations, inquiries and disputes, commercial negotiations and contracting, issues arising from land acquisition, disposal and ownership, employment and safety-related issues and the delivery of technology programs to allow our government clients to deliver their services.

Through our strategic alliance with public policy, reputational and political risk consultancy Chapel Lane Advisory (CLA), we offer a full suite of services in managing complex risk, regulatory and policy issues. CLA is a consultancy founded at the intersection of law, public policy and politics, together we deliver strategic political and reputational risk consulting, public policy solutions and advocacy, compliance and integrity services, and crisis management advice.

We are also uniquely placed to provide culturally sensitive advice to government departments and agencies through our joint venture with Mailman Law to form the first and only majority Indigenous-owned commercial law firm, known as Jaramer Legal. Jaramer Legal works with government and Indigenous businesses and communities in response to initiatives such as the federal government's 'Closing the Gap Policy' and Indigenous Procurement Policies across federal, state and territory governments.

Our broad public and private sector experience enables us to provide strategic legal advice fully tailored to the needs of Government. We provide:

• Understanding of government and its objectives: Through our longstanding relationships and work across government, we assist government at all stages, from policy and project development through to effective delivery.
• Value through innovative approaches: With government comes a priority to deliver new policies and projects in an efficient manner. A key part of our role is adding value through thought leadership and assisting government in developing innovative approaches and finding strategic solutions.
• High quality, cost conscious advice: We understand it is important for government agencies to manage costs through its suppliers. We ensure there are no surprises for government, providing predictable fees and staying within realistic estimates.
• Full panel coverage: Through their day-to-day operations, Commonwealth, state and local governments encounter a range of legal issues. We sit on local, state and Commonwealth government legal panels, including all six panel areas of the Whole of Australian Government Legal Services Panel, all six legal sub-panels for New South Wales (in addition to the icare legal services panel), 9 legal service categories for Queensland, all four legal categories for Victoria, the Local Government Procurement Panel for NSW local government, the Local Buy panel for Queensland local government, and the WA Local Government Association’s Financial and Corporate Services Panel.  Our dedicated National Government Team is drawn from leading lawyers in these fields.

Our areas of work include

• Construction and engineering
• Coronial inquiries and inquests
• Contract and commercial law
• Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity
• Dispute resolution and litigation
• Employment and labour, including equal opportunity, industrial relations and WHS
• Infrastructure
• Intellectual property
• Procurement
• Projects
• Property, planning and environment
• Public and administrative law
• Public and government finance
• Public policy, political and reputational risk consulting
• Regulatory investigations and enforcement
• Statutory inquiries, including Royal Commissions and Special Commissions
• Technology
• Tort law and negligence

Awards and accolades

• Chambers Asia-Pacific, Australia: Government Band 2, Chambers and Partners, 2022