Norton Rose Fulbright expands Australian risk advisory offering via strategic alliance

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has continued the growth of its long-standing risk advisory offering in Australia with a strategic alliance with political, public policy and reputational risk consultancy Chapel Lane Advisory (CLA).

CLA is a consultancy founded at the intersection of law, public policy and politics to deliver strategic support services in public policy and political risk. 

The new strategic alliance entered into with Norton Rose Fulbright will enhance the firm’s multidisciplinary suite of services. CLA’s founders Daniel Ward and Tim Wellington will contribute strategic political and reputational risk consulting, public policy solutions and advocacy, compliance and integrity services, and crisis management advice.

Daniel is a former general counsel and senior advisor to two Australian Prime Ministers. He is also a visiting fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and a member of the NSW Bar. He has been widely recognised in relation to his role in the development of Australian national security legislation. He has also been special counsel at Norton Rose Fulbright and associate to the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia.

Tim is a former chief of staff to the Commonwealth Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations and former Senior Advisor, National Security and Integrity for the Attorney-General. He has also previously held senior external affairs and public policy roles at Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank. 

CLA will work with Norton Rose Fulbright and its clients to offer a full suite of services in managing complex risk, regulatory and policy issues.

Tim Wellington commented:

“We are excited to partner with Norton Rose Fulbright and offer new ways to solve the most complex and challenging problems clients face. During our time in senior political and legal roles it was clear to us that the firm was at the forefront of innovation in legal services, and this alliance takes that one step further. 

“Reputation, social licence and political risk are fast becoming primary issues for boardrooms in Australia and internationally, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This alliance combines our experience at the peak of Australian political, policy and legal issues with the market-leading offering of Norton Rose Fulbright to provide a unique service, underpinned by an understanding of how the law and politics intersect.”

Norton Rose Fulbright chief executive partner in Australia, Alison Deitz, commented:

“Properly managing legal and regulatory risk is a difficult and often multi-jurisdictional problem to solve, and so clients are increasingly seeking out global law firms with the right level of cross-border expertise. Since we launched our risk advisory offering in 2018, we have expanded into non-legal services as clients have asked for more holistic advice. Our new relationship with Chapel Lane Advisory is an important addition to that offering.”

Norton Rose Fulbright chair and head of risk advisory in Australia, Scott Atkins, commented: 

“Our investment in highly regarded consultancy Chapel Lane Advisory is a natural next step in the growth of our risk advisory team, which blends legal and non-legal advisors with in-depth knowledge of industries such as government, financial services and technology. This strategic alliance with Daniel Ward, Tim Wellington and CLA will allow us to provide the full spectrum of risk advice to our corporate and government clients, helping them to prepare for and navigate the most complex issues they face.”