Joe spent several years in New York working on white-collar criminal defence and government investigations at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, one of America’s leading law firms. Born and bred in Perth, he brings that experience home to Hugo Law Group’s Perth team as a Litigation Analyst.
At Wachtell Lipton, Joe represented companies and individuals facing investigations by the US Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency and state regulators, in matters involving alleged foreign bribery, disclosure failures and financial compliance breaches. He worked with clients through every stage of those investigations: establishing what had happened, preparing them to be questioned by investigators, and advocating for them before prosecutors and regulators. He conducted more than 100 witness interviews, and his litigation work took him to state and federal courts in New York, California and Delaware. The matters he worked on resulted in a trial judgment in his client’s favour, the dismissal of federal securities claims, and favourable settlements. In many of his white-collar criminal defence matters, authorities ultimately decided not to bring charges against his clients.
Joe has also seen criminal cases from the prosecution’s side. As an extern at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, he worked on drug trafficking investigations and helped prepare legal arguments on the validity of search warrants. He understands how a case against an accused person is built, and where it can be challenged.
Joe knows that being caught up in the legal system can be overwhelming. He began his legal career volunteering at Midlas Community Law Centre in Perth, assisting people in family violence matters. In New York, he received the Commitment to Justice Award from Her Justice for his pro bono work in difficult family law proceedings.
Joe holds a Juris Doctor with honours from Harvard Law School, where he was a Notes Editor of the Harvard Law Review and received Dean’s Scholar Prizes for the top mark in Criminal Law, Torts and Property. He completed his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Western Australia with High Distinction.
As a Litigation Analyst, Joe works alongside the firm’s lawyers on a range of criminal matters, including serious fraud, corruption and regulatory cases. He analyses briefs of evidence, tests the prosecution case for gaps and helps prepare complex matters for hearing and trial.
Outside the firm, Joe serves in the Australian Army Reserve and can often be found walking his Groodle puppy Loki on Perth’s beaches.
Joe was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2021 and remains in good standing there. He is completing his admission to practise in Western Australia and, until then, works under the supervision of the firm’s lawyers.
