Hunt & Humphry is a specialist project law firm focused on project development, corporate and commercial matters, litigation and finance across a range of sectors including mining and petroleum, native title and Aboriginal heritage, property, environment, land development, construction, State agreements, energy/renewable energy, transport infrastructure and agri-business. We also have extensive expertise in emerging markets, particularly Africa and Asia.
Our Reputation
Hunt & Humphry is rated in various legal guides and surveys including Legal Profiles, Chambers Global and Doyle’s and is the only niche firm ranked “Premier” (the top classification) in both resources and native title and one of very few non-national firms in Australia receiving that ranking in any category.
Michael Hunt, Chris Humphry and Melissa Watts are also individually rated, the former as one of only three in the “Pre-eminent” category. Michael Hunt has also been voted as the number one resources lawyer in Western Australia and in the Bulletin’s Top 50 lawyers in Australia principally for his mining and oil & gas expertise.
In relation to the firm’s experience in emerging markets, Conrad Marais is individually rated in the projects and energy market in Africa in the 2011 edition of Chambers Global.
Our Clients
Hunt & Humphry acts for a wide range of clients including major mining and petroleum explorers and producers. We have advised companies such as BHP Billiton, Apache Energy, Newcrest Mining, Atlas Iron, Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals, Barrick Gold, Minara Resources and Hancock Prospecting. We also act for resource developers, government agencies (such as Western Australia’s Port Hedland Port Authority – operator of the World’s leading bulk commodity port), pastoralists, construction and service companies, property developers, mining industry associations, investors and other project stakeholders.
Members of our team have also acted for commercial lenders such as Standard Bank of South Africa, ABSA Bank, Nedbank Capital and development finance institutions such as African Development Bank, Development Bank of Southern Africa, DEG (Germany) and FMO (Netherlands).
Geographical focus
Australia remains a core focus for Hunt & Humphry but the firm’s specialist experience and innovative approach has allowed it to expand its practice into other markets, including Africa and Asia. Members of the team have extensive experience in advising on project financings, commercial transactions and general development in Africa and Asia across a wide range of sectors.
Our Philosophy
The Hunt & Humphry team is committed to providing practical legal advice to its clients in an efficient, cost-effective and timely manner. We believe that it is important for clients to know from the outset which partners and lawyers will be working on matters referred to the firm and that they remain available. In line with this, while the team comprises senior lawyers who formerly practised at large international law firms, we aim to provide a personal service that is characteristic of specialist firms.