One of Papua New Guinea’s top litigators and advocates, Allan Mana, has joined Australia’s leading independent law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth as partner in Port Moresby, PNG.
Set to lead Corrs PNG litigation practice, Allan joining the firm, along with the recent hiring of two new Associates, means that Corrs PNG is now among the top three Australian or international law firms in the country by size.
Allan’s experience spans a broad range of commercial litigation work for major corporates and financial institutions, including: disputes arising out of corporate acquisitions, fraud investigations, joint venture and shareholder disputes, initiating and defending claims for urgent injunctive relief, leasing and other property litigation, as well as a range of regulatory matters. He also represents clients in alternative dispute resolution such as mediations, expert determinations and arbitrations.
As the legal profession in PNG is fused, Allan acts as both a solicitor and an advocate and is one of the most highly-regarded, pre-eminent PNG advocates in the country’s National Court.
“Allan’s appointment, with his expertise, practice and presence in the market, clearly demonstrates Corrs’ commitment to our clients, helping meet their needs and achieve their goals through providing a full service offering on the ground in PNG,” said Corrs CEO and Partner John W.H. Denton AO.
“Few firms in PNG will have a domestic capability of the calibre that will be led by Allan, in conjunction with the enormous projects and oil and gas expertise of partner-in-charge of the Port Moresby office, Vaughan Mills.
“Corrs is committed to providing our clients with best-of-breed expertise in every market. Giving them access to top-tier legal practitioners who truly meet their needs is what led us to establish our own office in PNG and ensuring it is occupied by leading PNG lawyers, like Allan,” Mr Denton said.
Allan has advised on some of the most significant PNG and cross-border litigation in the country’s history, for some of the world’s most significant resources clients, as well as guiding domestic and international financial services corporates in their litigation matters. Clients have included ExxonMobil, Newcrest, Bank of South Pacific and Westpac PNG, Ok Tedi Mining Ltd and QBE and American Home Assurance Company.
Currently serving his third term on the Council of the PNG Law Society, Allan is a former Secretary of the PNG Commercial Disputes Centre. He also served on a judicial committee responsible for introducing changes to the PNG Court Rules to formally incorporate alternative dispute resolution mechanisms into the rules.