Evan J.Sylwestrzak

Of Counsel

Perth + 61.8.6214.5738

Evan Sylwestrzak is an experienced dispute resolution lawyer, whose practice focuses on complex litigation and arbitration matters, energy, resources, construction, and infrastructure disputes. He also has experience in corporate restructuring and insolvency.

Evan has represented international and domestic companies and insolvency practitioners. His recent experience includes acting for Tri-Star Petroleum in court proceedings concerning the ownership, infrastructure, and royalties for a number of joint ventures for the production of coal seam gas; acting for a regional council in litigation relating to a waste supply agreement and waste to energy plant; appearing as counsel for Orocobre Limited in its merger with Galaxy Resources Limited; advising A-Cap Energy Limited on its merger with Lotus Resources Limited via a scheme of arrangement; and acting for ICWA in the distribution of AUD1.8 billion in the liquidation of the Bell Group.

Evan's experience also includes acting for: an engineering company in a dispute relating to the commissioning of an offshore platform; a large oil and gas company in an incident involving a drilling rig; a construction company in arbitration proceedings regarding joint venture issues and disputes with a contract for construction and engineering works for a liquefied natural gas processing facility; a commodities exporter regarding an application to access rail infrastructure in Western Australia; and a large mining company in proceedings involving a land access agreement with native title holders.

Evan is a member of ER Law, the Energy Club, and the Turnaround Management Association.

Experience

  • QIC invests A$200 million in restructuring of Virgin AustraliaJones Day advised the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) on its A$200 million combined debt and equity investment and participation in the A$3.5 billion recapitalization and acquisition out of administration of Australia's second largest airline, Virgin Australia, by Bain Capital.
  • Tri-Star litigates joint venture disputes in AustraliaJones Day is acting for Tri-Star Petroleum Company, an independent oil and gas explorer, in multiple court proceedings concerning joint ventures in Queensland for the production of coal seam gas.
  • Orocobre merges with Galaxy Resources to form top five global lithium chemicals companyJones Day advised Orocobre Limited (Orocobre), an ASX and TSX-listed global lithium carbonate supplier with operations in Argentina, on its merger-of-equals with Galaxy Resources Limited (Galaxy), an ASX-listed global lithium company with operations in Australia, Argentina, and Canada, creating a top five global lithium chemicals company (by market capitalization).
  • A-Cap Energy merges with Lotus ResourcesJones Day advised A-Cap Energy Limited in its merger with ASX-listed Lotus Resources Limited via schemes of arrangement.
  • WMRC seeks advice in waste management dispute with DiCOM AWTJones Day is acting for the Western Metropolitan Regional Council (WMRC) in disputes with DiCOM AWT Operations (DiCOM), the operator of a waste processing facility on the WMRC's land.
  • ICWA protects its interests as creditor and funder in Bell Group liquidationsJones Day is acting for the Insurance Commission of Western Australia ("ICWA"), a Western Australian government entity, in proceedings commenced in the Supreme Court of Western Australia concerning the distribution to creditors of over $1.8 billion in the liquidations of the Bell Group.
  • ICWA and JN Taylor Finance (in liquidation) challenge liquidator's decision to review or re-adjudicate a proof of claim admitted over 20 years agoJones Day is acting for the Insurance Commission of Western Australia ("ICWA") in proceedings commenced by JN Taylor Finance Pty Ltd (in liquidation) and ICWA in the Supreme Court of Western Australia seeking to reverse a liquidator's decision to review or re-adjudicate a proof of claim that was admitted in the liquidation of The Bell Group Limited in the amount of approximately $291 million over 20 years ago.
  • Duro Felguera prevails in international arbitration arising out of Roy Hill Iron Ore ProjectJones Day successfully acted for Duro Felguera Australia Pty Ltd. in a significant international arbitration with Samsung C&T Corporation arising out of the US$10 billion Roy Hill Iron Ore Project.
  • Monadelphous litigates in Supreme Court of Western AustraliaJones Day acted for Monadelphous KT Pty Ltd. in proceedings in the Supreme Court of Western Australia (and two adjudications) concerning the construction of the Fortescue River Gas Pipeline Project, a 270km pipeline connecting the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline to Fortescue Metal’s Solomon Hub mine.
  • Jacobs Group seeks advice in dispute relating to payments made under alleged unfair preferencesJones Day acted for Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Ltd ("Jacobs") in relation to a dispute with the liquidator of Western Desert Resources Ltd.
  • Additional Speaking Engagements

    • November 10, 2022
      Contemporary Issues with Royalties in Australia
    • March 22, 2022
      Privilege in regulatory investigations and commercial disputes
    • February 24, 2021
      Navigating the Voluntary Administration and Insolvency process
    • February 26, 2020
      The impending Uniform Legal Profession framework and Lawyers’ duties to the Court and Clients – what you need to know
    • August 16, 2018
      Unfair preference claims under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
    • September 5, 2017
      Fury Road: Navigating the Pathway through Insolvency