Wotton Kearney announces the appointment of experienced government litigator John McPherson as Special Counsel in its Canberra office, reinforcing the firm’s expanding national government practice.

With over 15 years advising Commonwealth agencies and commercial clients, John joins the firm following extensive experience at Clayton Utz and MinterEllison, bringing deep expertise in public law, regulatory disputes, administrative law, and complex commercial litigation. His track record includes advising on high-profile regulatory proceedings, statutory interpretation, and sensitive enforcement actions across a wide range of Commonwealth departments and agencies, including the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Department of Education and Training, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Airservices Australia and Defence Housing Australia.

John’s recent work includes acting for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the first successful civil penalty proceedings under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) and advising the National Disability Insurance Agency on regulatory compliance processes. He has also appeared in complex planning and construction disputes and led complex commercial litigation on behalf of private clients and government entities alike.

Clare McNamara, Wotton Kearney’s Commonwealth Government Client Relationship Partner, said John’s appointment reflects the firm’s continued focus on delivering exceptional legal services to the Commonwealth.

“John brings a rare combination of technical excellence and practical problem-solving that makes him a trusted adviser to government clients. His deep knowledge of administrative and regulatory law will further bolster our growing team and provide strategic depth in key areas of government litigation and compliance.”

Commenting on his new role, John said, “Wotton Kearney’s momentum in the government space and its commitment to long-term partnerships with Commonwealth agencies really appealed to me. I’m looking forward to working alongside like-minded colleagues who value clarity, collaboration and service excellence.”

John’s appointment follows Wotton Kearney’s inclusion on the Whole of Australian Government Legal Services Panel, effective from 1 July 2024. The appointment builds further experience and strength in the government practice, following the appointment in February 2025 of experienced litigator and strategic adviser Clare McNamara as Commonwealth Government Client Relationship Partner.

Since Wotton Kearney’s founding in 2002, the firm has grown from two partners to 94 with a dynamic force of over 500 legal professionals across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand.

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