Leading Australian law firm HWL Ebsworth continues to have a strong presence in The Best Lawyers in Australia™ guide to Australia’s best lawyers.
In the 2026 edition, HWL Ebsworth had 137 lawyers recognised as ‘Best Lawyers’ in Australia, across 56 areas of law. There were 7 lawyers named as “Lawyer of the Year”. “Lawyer of the Year” awards are bestowed to only lawyers with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Our Lawyers of the Year, representing specialty areas of Funds Management, Health and Aged Care Law, Native Title Law, Corporate Law, Private Equity Law, Financial Institutions, and Real Property Law were:
- Michael Anastas – Partner, Brisbane;
- Leonie Beyers – Partner, Sydney;
- Kate Bickford – Partner, Adelaide;
- Kate McKeough – Partner, Adelaide;
- Jamie Restas – Partner, Adelaide;
- Geoff Stevens – Partner, Perth; and
- Paul Wilson – Partner, Perth.
HWL Ebsworth also received recognition in the Ones to Watch in Australia™ category with 10 lawyers listed. These awards are presented to lawyers who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice. Our awarded practitioners were:
- Guy Moloney – Partner, Sydney;
- Alex Ottaway – Partner, Sydney;
- Melissa Ferreira – Special Counsel, Perth;
- Josephine Pignataro – Special Counsel, Sydney;
- Caitlin Surman – Special Counsel, Adelaide;
- Alexandra Douvartzidis – Senior Associate, Adelaide;
- Stephanie Emmerig – Senior Associate, Sydney;
- Ingrid Kristiansen – Senior Associate, Sydney;
- Emily Lucas – Senior Associate, Norwest; and
- Julie McKeesick – Senior Associate, Perth.
HWL Ebsworth was a “Top Listed” firm for several practice areas in this year’s edition. “Top listed” firms are those with the most listed lawyers in a practice area. HWL Ebsworth received this accolade for Commercial Law, Shipping and Maritime Law, Trade Law, and Transportation Law.
The firm’s excellent results in this year’s Best Lawyers™ is evidence of the strong position HWL Ebsworth holds in the marketplace, and the outstanding level of service delivered to our clients.
Congratulations to everyone recognised by this publication.
Note to Editors:
HWL Ebsworth is the largest legal partnership in Australia according to the most recent partnership surveys published by the Australian Financial Review.
The firm comprises 1702, staff including 275 Partners, 1042 other legal staff and 385 support staff across offices in nine locations – Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Hobart, Norwest (North West Sydney), Perth and Sydney.
HWL Ebsworth is an independent, nationally integrated, full service commercial law firm, providing tailored and commercially oriented legal services.
HWL Ebsworth operates a different business model to the other leading national law practices, and this allows us to offer unrivalled value for money without compromising quality and service. Our low ratio of solicitors to partners ensures that our clients receive optimal access to partner resources for all matters.
For further information, please contact:
Russell Mailler, Chief Executive Partner (03) 8644 3569 or rmailler@hwle.com.au
Angelique Kear, Head of Marketing (02) 9334 8541 or akear@hwle.com.au