Brett is highly regarded transactions and projects lawyer with a focus on the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors.
He has a diverse practice, advising on acquisitions and divestments, cross-border investment, project development, joint ventures, royalties and streaming arrangements and commodity/utility sales arrangements. Brett has particular expertise in complex, cross-border transactions.
- VOC Group (VOCG): a 50% shareholder of Wright Prospecting, on the sale of its 25% interest in the Rhodes Ridge Iron Ore Project to Japanese trading and investment group, Mitsui & Co, Ltd., for US $3.4 billion. Rhodes Ridge, 50% owned and operated by Rio Tinto, is one of the world's largest and highest quality undeveloped iron deposits*
- Wyloo Metals (part of the Forrest family's Tattarang Group): on the acquisition of a 60% interest in the Yangibana Rare Earths and Niobium Project in Western Australia and formation of a joint venture with ASX-listed Hastings Technology Metals. The transaction also involved Wyloo acquiring from Hastings a 19.99% equity interest in TSX-listed Neo Performance Materials*
- Squadron Energy (part of the Forrest family's Tattarang Group): on its acquisition of CWP Renewables, comprising abroad portfolio of wind, solar and firming projects in New South Wales and Victoria – one of Australia’s largest ever renewable energy transactions. Also advised Squadron Energy on the development of its regasification terminal and proposed gas-hydrogen power station at Port Kembla*
- WA electricity network operator Western Power on Project Symphony (and successor Projects Encore and Jupiter) which concerned coordination of distributed energy resources, in collaboration with WA Government generator/retailer Synergy and AEMO
- Tianqi Lithium Corporation: on its joint venture with IGO limited and divestment of a 49% interest in its Australian lithium operations, valuing the investment at $1.9 billion. Also advised on the development of its lithium hydroxide processing plant in Kwinana, Western Australia*
- Glencore: on various matters in its nickel division, including project acquisitions and divestments, project development, energy supply and procurement arrangements*
- Alcoa: on major project acquisitions and divestments and upstream and downstream gas supply arrangements*
- Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd: on the landmark agreement with Rio Tinto to modernise their joint venture for the Rhodes Ridge Iron Ore Project, one the world's largest and highest quality undeveloped iron ore deposits. Also advised Wright Prospecting on royalty entitlements arising from the extraction of iron ore and proprietary interests in various mining tenements in Western Australia*
- Synergy: Western Australia's largest electricity generator and retailer, on various renewable energy projects and investments*
- Talison Lithium: one of the world's largest lithium concentrate suppliers, in relation to various project development and operational matters concerning its lithium mining and processing operations in Greenbushes, Western Australia (the world's largest lithium resource). Also advised Talison in relation to cornerstone electricity offtake arrangements from the East Rockingham Resource Recovery Facility waste-to-energy project*
- Mitsui E&P: on the development of the Waitsia project in WA– one of the largest undeveloped onshore gas resources in Australia, being developed by Mitsui as operator (Mitsui 50%/ Beach Energy 50%)*
- ConocoPhillips: on the US$1.39 billion sale of its Northern Australian and East Timorese assets to Santos following a corporate restructure of ConocoPhillips' interest in APLNG*
- Alinta Energy: on the development of the 214MW Yandin Wind Farm in Western Australia. Also advised on a number of gas sales agreements, proposed acquisitions and arrangements in relation to Alinta's Newman power station
- Eni Agip: Advised the Australian subsidiary of this Italian energy giant in relation to the acquisition of interests in petroleum interests in Australia and South-East Asia*
- Beach Energy: on the sale of a 40% interest in its Victorian Otway assets to Eyal Ofer's O.G. Energy, a member of the Ofer Global group of companies, for AUD$344 million*
- Barrick Gold Corporation: on various M&A transactions relating to its Western Australian gold operations, including: the sale of the Yilgarn South gold operations to Gold Fields Limited for US$300 million; the sale of the Plutonic gold mine to Northern Star Resources Limited for AU$25 million; and the sale of the Kanowna gold operations to Northern Star Resources Limited for AU$75 million. Also advised on the structuring of its joint venture arrangements with Newmont at the Kalgoorlie Superpit*
- Chubu Electric Power: on its equity investments into the multi-billion dollar Ichthys and Gorgon LNG Projects in Western Australia*
- Advised a joint venture comprising Cameco Corporation (70%) and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd (30%) on the acquisition of the Kintyre uranium project in Western Australia from Rio Tinto for US$495 million*
*indicates this transaction was completed prior to Brett joining Clifford Chance.
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Perth
- +61892625521
- Email me
- Speaks English
- Practice area M&A corporate
- Sector Energy & resources, Mining & metals, Oil & gas, Power & energy networks, Private equity
Career & qualifications
- The University of Western Australia, Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), 2003
- The University of Western Australia, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), 2003
- Admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, 2005
- The University of Western Australia, Oil and Gas Law Fundamentals, 2007
- Financial Services Institute of Australia (KAPLAN), Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance and Investment, 2007
- Clayton Utz, Partner, 2003-2025
- Joined Clifford Chance as a partner in 2025
Professional bodies
- ER Law, the Resources and Energy Law Association (currently an Executive Member, WA State Committee)
- Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) Law Society of Western Australia
Awards and citations
- Chambers and Partners: Energy & Natural Resources (Mining) (Band 4)
- Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Natural Resources (Transactions and Regulatory) (Recommended)
- Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Energy (Transactions and Regulatory) (Recommended)
- IFLR 1000: "Notable practitioner" in M&A and Private Equity
- Lexology: Energy, Natural Resources & Mining (Australia) (Recommended)