Mr Watkin brings over 15 years’ experience to the firm, having specialised in major projects and international dispute resolution with special expertise advising on matters affecting the energy, construction, infrastructure and natural resources sectors.

Prior to joining Clyde & Co, Mr Watkin was a barrister, leading international arbitrations and dealing with vast arbitral rules and governing laws.

Commenting on the appointment of Mr Watkin, Clyde & Co chairman of the APAC board, Chris Jobson, credited his start as helping drive the firm’s “market-leading credentials as trusted counsel to all major projects participants, including advising on the innate complexities of large-scale domestic and cross-border disputes”.

“We are delighted that Damian has joined Clyde & Co as partner and that he will be working with us in APAC,” Mr Jobson said.

“His extensive experience in the global projects and construction sector will be enormously beneficial to our clients. Damian’s addition to our global partnership is also further evidence of Clyde & Co’s resilience in the legal market and I look forward to our growth continuing despite the COVID-19 crisis.”

Commenting further, David McElveney, head of Clyde & Co’s Australian projects and construction group and joint head of the Asia-Pacific projects and construction group, said: “Our projects and construction team is committed to providing the best legal services to our clients wherever they operate. The relocation of Damian from the UK to Australia, despite the challenges of COVID-19, is testament to this and the firm’s commitment to further strengthening our projects and construction offering in APAC.”

“Damian, like all of our projects and construction partners in Australia, has first-rate global experience. The international experience of our partners and our deep global expertise applied locally and regionally, is what truly sets us apart from other construction teams operating in Australia.

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“I look forward to our clients getting to know Damian. I’m sure they will enjoy working with him and that Damian will soon be established as a leading construction lawyer in the Australian and wider APAC markets.”

Meanwhile, Mr Watkin said he was delighted to join a firm of Clyde & Co’s standards and reputation. 

“I’m immensely proud to be working at a firm so strongly associated with the major projects sector, and to whom clients repeatedly entrust their highest-stakes issues globally,” he said.

“Clyde & Co has an outstanding client base and involvement in some of the most significant energy and infrastructure projects throughout APAC.

“Working alongside an esteemed major projects bench, I look forward to helping our clients meet the extraordinary challenges posed by COVID-19 and assisting them mitigate its impact on their interests and assets.”