As an experienced commercial lawyer, Robert has significant experience in providing immigration and other legal advice and visa services to Australian and multinational companies in sectors such as financial services, mining and resources (including off-shore oil and gas), information technology and telecommunications, retail, science and engineering, and health.
Robert served as the firm’s Regional Managing Partner for Asia Pacific from 2011 to 2016 and Managing Partner of the Australian practice from 2006 to 2016.
Robert is a regular contributor to AILA and IBA publications and provides updates on Australian immigration law and policy for publications of the American Bar Association and for the International Immigration and Nationality Law service (1997 – Current).
He is also a presenter at numerous Australian and international corporate immigration conferences, and a presenter and discussion leader on immigration and training issues and solutions at oil and gas and resources conferences (2000 – Current).
Education
Australian National University | Bachelor of Laws, honours
Awards
Named a Thought Leader: Corporate Immigration, Who’s Who Legal, 2020
Listed in Best Lawyers in Australia, Immigration Law, 2013 to 2021
Listed in Who's Who Legal: Corporate Immigration, 2003 to 2019
Professional Accomplishments / Memberships
Immigration Credentials: Registered Migration Agent (MARN 9256939)
Court Admissions: Barrister and Solicitor: Supreme Court of Victoria, Supreme Court of Australian Capital Territory, Supreme Court of New South Wales, Supreme Court of Western Australia
Member, New South Wales Law Society
Member, Migration Institute of Australia
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Member, Immigration Nationality Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA)
Member, International Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia
Member, American Chamber of Commerce
Member, Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce
Member, German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Member, Swiss-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Assisted a number of multinational companies with their compliance obligations for sponsored employees under the migration legislation throughout Asia Pacific
Advised companies in the oil and gas sector on the operation of the migration zone, in relation to employing foreign workers in their off-shore operations in national waters
Advised major global companies in their initial establishment in Australia and other countries through to their assignment of overseas employees, and the recruitment of overseas workers for large-scale projects
Assisted state and federal government agencies to make use of the temporary worker and permanent resident visa categories to deal with critical skills shortages