With a particularly active natural resources practice, Allens is well regarded in the market as a trusted counsel in the mining, oil and gas sectors, with clients relying on the team’s industry-leading expertise to advise on the ongoing energy transition. Leading matters in the mining sector, Igor Bogdanich, who leads the team from Melbourne, has a high level of experience and knowledge in handling complex M&A transactions and advising on commodity offtake agreements. Richard Malcolmson is highly regarded for his expertise in advising on divestments, joint ventures, and infrastructure access agreements with international elements. Jodi Reinmuth is adept at advising on regulatory project approvals, including both advising on and negotiating state agreements. Bryn Hardcastle is a key contact for clients seeking advice on equity capital markets, ASX listings and corporate advisory matters, with a notable specialism in the critical minerals sector.

Operating across the natural resources sector, Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s integrated project development and project finance capabilities enable the team to offer specialised advice across the full remit of sectors, particularly matters relating to critical minerals and late-life metallurgical coal. At the helm of the practice, Perth-based Tracey Greenaway specialises in advising on project development transactions in the gas sector. Russell Philip is noted for the depth of his expertise in equity raisings, takeovers and schemes of arrangement within the mining sector, while Anthony Lepere is particularly impressive in advising on cross-border, multi-jurisdictional joint ventures and project developments. Christian Owen is a key contact for companies and private equity clients seeking fund raising and governance counsel. Franka Cheung frequently acts on behalf of trade sellers and buyers, and equity investors in the mining sector. The team was also strengthened in June 2025 by the arrival of commercial and investment arbitration expert Jo Feldman, who joined the firm from Norton Rose Fulbright as head of trade.

Alongside Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP's historical work in the critical minerals, oil and gas sectors, the team has recently been engaged in an increasing number of energy transition matters, including decarbonisation advisory work and involvement in renewable energy projects. As global head of mining, Perth-based Jay Leary’s mining acumen attracts clients seeking counsel on earn-in arrangements, royalty agreements and development projects. Sian Newnham is well known in the market for advising on complex, multi-jurisdictional joint ventures, while Paul Branston is a name to note for public and private M&A transactions. Combining expertise in project finance and mining, Andrew McLean is sought after by both sponsors and financiers of domestic and international mining projects. Bolstering the team’s strength in renewable projects, Cassandra Wee joined the firm in February 2025 from Ashurst, while infrastructure-focused M&A partner Amit Jois joined from Johnson Winter Slattery in October 2024.

King & Wood Mallesons is home to a highly experienced natural resources team that exhibits expertise across critical mineral and mining M&A matters, with a focus on strategic assets. Exemplifying this in particular is Perth-based practice head Lorenzo Pacitti, who is an expert in rare earth and critical mineral projects. Paul Schroder has established experience in M&A transactions in the mining sector, while Jennifer Bell has notable proficiency in restructuring, strategic risk mitigation and regulatory compliance across the resources space. Christopher Barry has broad experience extending to project development, commodity sales, state agreements and access arrangements. Jing Wang is well versed in joint venture arrangements and private equity matters. Scott Langford, who transitioned from partner to a senior consultant role at the end of 2024, is also a noted member of the team.

Clayton Utz stands out for its offering in the coal, gold, steel, and critical minerals sectors, with a comprehensive range of services that enables the team to advise on project structuring and development, regulatory approvals, land access, and native title issues. Stuart MacGregor, who spearheads the practice in Brisbane, advises on a wide array of issues, from M&A transactions to the integration of renewable energy sources and mining assets. Samy Mansour excels in investments and corporate governance arrangements in the mining, energy and utilities sectors. Katy Warner is an oil and gas specialist, while Armin Fazely specialises in the development of and investment in energy and natural resources projects, including comprehensive due diligence investigations. The team can also draw on the expertise of a number of new partners, including Brendan Smith, Vicki Aron and Katie Higgins, who joined the team in early 2025 from Baker McKenzie, Ashurst and Jones Day, respectively, and Alexander Danne, who joined from Gilbert + Tobin in July 2025 as head of energy.

Gilbert + Tobin’s practice spans the full remit of metals and mining work, with the team’s varied case load including acquisitions and disposals, project financing, procurement, operations and corporate social responsibility. The practice group is co-led from Perth by experienced partners Justin Mannolini, who specialises in M&A and equity capital markets transactions, and Simon Rear, who focuses on regulated equity capital markets, ASX listing and shareholder activism matters. With extensive experience in energy and resources law, Michael Blakiston is well regarded for the depth of his expertise in handling joint ventures, project commercialisation, offtake project fundraisings and asset purchases. Claire Boyd covers the full remit of natural resource matters but stands out for her work advising on farm-in arrangements and joint ventures in the mining industry. The team was further strengthened by the arrival of Mark McAleer, an expert in cross-border transactions and projects in the mining, oil and gas sectors, from Allens in October 2025.

MinterEllison’s well-established client base includes companies across the oil, gas, renewables and mining sectors, with the team advising on a wide range of M&A transactions, projects, and regulatory matters. Leading the team from Brisbane, Simon Scott is noted for his capabilities in joint ventures and commercial mining matters. Jordan Phillips has significant experience in providing specialist transactional and regulatory advice to both private and government clients. Bringing extensive in-house experience to the table, Brendan Clark is a name to note in the oil and gas sector, frequently advising clients on joint venture and joint operating agreements, land access and landholder compensation. Andrew Corletto is well versed in matters relating to major projects, including mining leases, land access and M&A, while Alex Other-Gee advises on a wide array of joint ventures and commercial contracts across the mining, critical minerals and renewables sectors.

Energy transition projects form the cornerstone of the practice at Norton Rose Fulbright, with the firm positioned to advise clients on carbon offset generation projects, assist in matters relating to the establishment of critical minerals supply chains, and act on leveraged, structured and project finance in the mining sector. Brisbane-based practice head Gavin Scott covers the entire scope of mining and petroleum projects, as well as advising on major renewable energy projects. Now acting as a senior adviser, Keira Brennan continues to play a key role in assisting with M&A and joint ventures for clients in the oil, gas and mining sectors. David Jewkes brings extensive cross-border experience to the team, excelling in equity capital markets transactions and Takeovers Panel proceedings. Nick Sinclair specialises in advising on the financing aspects of mining matters, while Ellen Whittred is a trusted advisor on native matters in mining, oil, gas and renewable projects.

Mining, minerals and metals projects form the cornerstone of the practice at A&O Shearman, with the firm well positioned to act on M&A, takeovers, IPOs, joint ventures, mining operational agreements and cross-border transactions. Perth-based Matthew Johnson, who spearheads the practice, excels in domestic and cross-border M&A and securities law. Peter Wilkes is an experienced banking and finance lawyer, frequently advising on a range of debt finance transactions in the natural resources sector, while David Christensen’s broad expertise covers cross-border and multi-source financing transactions across renewable energy and mining projects. Jackie Donald is adept at handling joint ventures and private equity transactions, as well as advising on corporate governance matters. Meredith Campion retired from the practice in May 2024, while the team was strengthened in August 2025 with the hire of Lisa Koch, who focuses on project finance and related transactions in the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors, from Norton Rose Fulbright.

DLA Piper’s cross-practice team combines expertise in energy, resources, corporate and finance law to advise on a wide array of matters related to traditional mining, oil and gas issues, as well as an increasing number of projects in the renewables and critical minerals sectors. The practice group is led from Perth by Alex Jones, who specialises in acquisitions, feasibility assessments, development and investment. Matthew Watkins brings to bear strong credentials in mining and metals matters, advising on early-stage investment through to ASX listings. Alexander Samson’s broad expertise covers advising on international and domestic private M&A, joint ventures and commercial transactions, as he co-leads the firm’s global ENR battery mineral sub-sector. Kirsty Hall has in-depth knowledge of rights issues, placements, and share purchase plans relating to foreign investment in the mining industry, while Louise Holland is an experienced disputes lawyer engaging in litigation across the mining, energy and natural resources sectors.

McCullough Robertson has a longstanding reputation in the mining and minerals exploration sectors, with the team’s varied case load including M&A, tax advisory work, and commercial contracts, as well as regulatory matters such as native title and cultural heritage issues. The practice group is co-led by Kate Swain and Damien Clarke in Brisbane; Swain specialises in planning and environmental approvals, production tenements, and biodiversity conservation, while Clarke is well known in the market for corporate, commercial and taxation advice. Liam Davis is a key contact for clients seeking counsel on government liaison, stakeholder management and project acquisition matters. Environment and planning specialist Madeline Simpson is also noted.

Piper Alderman’s practice spans an array of industries, including the mining, metals and critical minerals sectors. The team is recognised as a trusted advisor to many of Australia’s major quarrying companies, as well as assisting clients in the oil and gas sector with M&A transactions, project finance and native title issues. Based in Brisbane, practice head Josh Steele is a name to note for capital raisings, M&A, farm-in and joint venture agreements. The team's strength in finance, property, and infrastructure projects and construction in the natural resources sector was strengthened with the addition of six new partners in 2024 and 2025: Catherine Wheeler, who joined from HopgoodGanim, and Hai-Dang Nguyen, Brent Henderson, Cris Cureton, David Starkoff and Campbell Davidson, all from Squire Patton Boggs.

White & Case boasts significant expertise in handling M&A, joint venture and operational advisory work across the oil, gas, minerals and mining sectors, with the team frequently receiving mandates from global mining companies. The department is under the leadership of the seasoned trio of Brendan Quinn, Joel Rennie and John Tivey. Based in Melbourne, Quinn and Tivey offer expertise in complex and high-profile project finance transactions, and cross-border M&A transactions, respectively. Co-heading the practice from Sydney, Rennie regularly handles matters involving export credit agencies and international sponsors across the renewable energy, oil and gas, and mining sectors.

Covering the entire scope of traditional natural resources work across the oil, gas, mining and metals sectors, Clifford Chance has a growing specialism in assisting clients in the global energy transition. The team showcases a strong track record in handling M&A, financial advisory and joint venture matters. Spearheading the practice from Sydney, Nadia Kalic is well versed in cross-border M&A transactions, while Cameron Hassall is recommended as a senior arbitration practitioner. David Clee and Chad Bochan are other noteworthy practitioners in the natural resources area. The team was also bolstered in September 2025 with the hire of M&A-focused partners Brett Cohen and Liz Humphry from Clayton Utz.

Gadens Lawyers boasts a strong team of energy and natural resources lawyers, who are recognised for their expertise in the mining, oil and gas, power and renewables sectors. Brisbane-based practice head John Kettle is noted for the depth of his expertise in the energy transition. As a part-time member of the Clean Energy Regulator in Australia, Kettle holds an in-depth knowledge of decarbonisation in heavy industry sectors. Mark Pistilli is a key contact for mining clients, while Michael Joyce is known in the market for international cross-border and domestic M&A. Lionel Hogg and Patrick Holland are other noteworthy practitioners in the gas and mining sectors.

Covering the full remit of natural resources matters, Johnson Winter Slattery’s team is poised to advise on a wide range of issues, including land access, compulsory acquisitions and complex M&A transactions. Leading the team from Brisbane, Bruce Adkins has a high level of experience and knowledge across the natural resources industry, with particular expertise in M&A and joint ventures. The firm experienced significant team expansion in 2024 and 2025, welcoming Nick Thorne (from Barrick Gold Corporation), Tom Fotheringham (from DLA Piper) and Charlie Detmold (from Baker McKenzie). Thorne brings cross-border expertise in the mining, oil and gas sectors to the team, Fotheringham is a name to note for negotiating renewables deals, and Detmold has strong credentials in project finance, acquisition finance, and corporate finance.

Handling work across the energy transition, mining and gas sectors, Jones Day is sought out by clients to handle M&A, joint ventures and equity investment, as well as advising on legislative and policy issues. Leading the practice from Brisbane, Dan Howard has experience assisting with acquisitions and sales of gas, mining, and infrastructure projects. Other names to note include Adam Conway, Simon Brown and Sophie Macleod.

Thomson Geer’s practice spans an array of industries, including renewable energy, mining and minerals. Scott Gibson is a name to note for M&A, equity capital markets, and ASX Listing Rule matters. Sarah O’Brien-Smith is sought after by mining companies for advice on farm-in and joint venture agreements, as well as mining litigation, including forfeiture proceedings and exemption applications. Michael Bowen is well versed in advising both bidders and targets in takeover proceedings.