Chris qualified as a lawyer in 1979 and joined the firm in 2003. He has practiced law and is qualified as a lawyer in Western Australia, Hong Kong and England and is also qualified as a lawyer in the USA.

Chris has worked extensively on resources, corporate and electricity transactions in Australia and Asia. Chris has particular experience in large cross border mergers and acquisitions and capital raising transactions for both listed and unlisted companies. Prior to joining the firm Chris was Head of Legal in the international investment and development division of one of Asia's largest power companies.>

Chris has extensive experience in advising on Project Finance, Group Finance and Debt Finance matters and is Williams + Hughes’ inhouse expert on complex financings and related securities. Chris has advised several of our largest clients, covering industries as diverse as chemicals and agri-business on syndicated financing facilities and debt restructurings, including negotiating with banks to remove selected assets from group wide securities. In his former role as in house counsel Chris represented the borrower in the $1 billion refinancing of the Yallourn Power Station. Chris has in his previous career acted for Australian and foreign banks in project finance and realisation of assets.

Chris understands the business needs of clients and is able to look over the horizon at the next stage of development of a client's business. He is able to function in a cross culture environment. He has studied in China and Hong Kong and speaks conversational Cantonese and Mandarin.

Chris also works in estate planning, trusts and the charitable and not for profit sector. He is passionate in delivering advice on practical solutions for charities and not for profits. Chris has experience as a Board member of charities.

He is a member of the Association of Australian Mining and Petroleum Lawyers Association and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), where he is recognised as a Trust and Estates Practitioner.

Outside of work Chris enjoys following rugby union and rugby league; playing lawn bowls and golf and listening to jazz. He is a board member of the Dogs’ Refuge Home (WA) Inc, one of Perth’s oldest animal charities.

Chris is based in our West Perth office.