Press Release
HFW continues growth in Australia with hire of Real Estate and Projects Partner
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW is expanding its Real Estate and Projects practice with the hire of property lawyer Morgen Kerry. Morgen joins HFW in Sydney.
Morgen specialises in property transactions and projects and has significant experience in complex acquisitions and disposals of commercial, industrial, rural and large-scale residential real estate. She has over 15 years' experience in senior legal and commercial roles in Australia and has in-depth knowledge of the property market.
Morgen's hire follows HFW's recruitment of construction and projects partner Michael Debney in Melbourne, construction disputes and international arbitration expert Jo Delaney and a construction team led by senior partner Antony Riordan – both in Sydney.
HFW's growth in Australia since 2020 has also included partners joining across disputes, workplace relations, shipping, as well as internal promotions across commodities, insurance and energy transition.
HFW's Australia revenue has increased by almost 80% over the past six years and now accounts for almost 15% of the firm's total annual revenue, making it the firm's third-largest market globally, after London and Hong Kong.
Carolyn Chudleigh, Partner and Sydney office head, HFW:
"I'm very pleased to welcome Morgen to HFW. Her skillset is complementary to our expertise across property development, asset management, funds management, urban transformation, and foreign investment. She is a great addition to the team and will enhance our real estate offering to clients."
Morgen has experience across titling and structuring, development project structuring, capital acquisitions and disposals, leasing and providing general property advice including FIRB, stamp duty and property taxation advice. She also has a strong interest in regeneration and renewable property and development projects.
Morgen's skill base is broad, having acted for domestic mid-size development companies, listed and unlisted Australian property trusts, foreign investors, multinational corporations, family office and private clients, and large domestic and international (firm based) M&A clients.
Morgen Kerry, Partner, HFW:
"I'm excited to be joining HFW as a Partner in the Real Estate and Projects team. I was drawn to the firm not only for its sector expertise and global network, but also its focus on sustainability and urban transformation. I'm looking forward to working with the team to continue to build the practice in Australia."
Gavin Vallely, Managing Partner, HFW Australia:
"I'm pleased to have Morgen join HFW. The expansion of our Construction, Real Estate and Projects team has been, and continues to be, an important part of our ongoing growth strategy in Australia."
HFW was one of the first international law firms in Australia, launching in the country in 2006, and now has almost 100 lawyers – including 24 partners – across offices in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
The firm's Australian offices advise national and international clients on aviation, commodities, construction, projects, real estate, employment, energy and resources, insurance, shipping, commercial litigation, corporate, and finance.
About HFW
HFW is a leading global law firm in the aerospace, commodities, construction, energy and resources, insurance, and shipping sectors. The firm has more than 600 lawyers, including 185 partners, based in offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. HFW prides itself on its deep industry expertise and its entrepreneurial, creative and collaborative culture.
