Allens

Allens is a leading international commercial law firm headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with a rich history spanning over two centuries. Founded in 1822 by George Allen, it holds the distinction of being Australia's oldest continuous legal partnership, evolving from a small legal practice on Elizabeth Street in Sydney into a prominent legal entity in the Asia-Pacific region. The firm expanded significantly over its history, notably through the merger in 2001 of Allen Allen & Hemsley and Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks, forming Allens Arthur Robinson, which later streamlined its name to Allens in 2012.

Allens serves a diverse and extensive clientele, including global multinational corporations, 55 of the world's top 100 companies, and more than 75 of Australia's top 100 public companies. Their expertise is sought after by banks and financial institutions, government bodies, industrials, infrastructure and transport companies, mining and oil and gas enterprises, and those in the power and utilities, real estate, and technology, media and telecommunications sectors. The firm is recognised for its ability to handle complex and difficult transactions, combining technical legal excellence with astute commercial insight to provide clear, actionable solutions for their clients.

A key differentiator for Allens is its strategic integrated alliance with Linklaters, a UK-headquartered Magic Circle law firm, established on 1 May 2012. This alliance extends Allens' global reach, offering clients a unified service across 41 offices in 26 countries, including a joint venture with Widyawan & Partners for Indonesian operations. This global network allows Allens to provide in-depth local knowledge with international scale, making it a powerful player in multi-jurisdictional matters.

Throughout its history, Allens has played a pivotal role in shaping Australia's legal and economic landscape, advising on numerous nation-building projects, major transactions, and significant reforms. Notable achievements include its involvement in BHP's acquisition of Utah International in 1984, a deal that was the largest in Australian history at the time, and its contribution to challenging the Federal Government's decision to annul same-sex marriages in the ACT. The firm's commitment to its values—striving for excellence, eyes on the horizon, in it together, courageous and creative, and fostering greatness—underpins its purpose-led culture and dedication to inclusion and diversity.

Leadership at Allens is guided by a strong executive committee. Richard Spurio currently serves as the Managing Partner, a role he has held for over a decade, overseeing a period of sustained success. Effective 1 July 2026, Marc Kemp, a partner with nearly two decades at the firm and head of its Funds, Superannuation, and Financial Services practice group, will assume the position of Managing Partner. Chelsey Drake serves as the Chair of Partners.