Samuel Allam

Background

About Samuel Allam

I have been a Special Counsel in Baker & McKenzie's Whole of Environment (WOE) practice for more than two years, based in Sydney on Gadigal country as part of a global team. My credentials include guest lecturing at the University of Melbourne Law School on WOE issues, from renewable energy to sustainability and climate change. Prior to joining Bakers, I was a Senior Associate in the same field at King & Wood Mallesons and at Ashurst before that. My top tier commercial law background is complemented by the concurrent roles I held as Corporate Lawyer (Operations) and Head of the Environment Team in one of Australia’s largest renewable energy companies, and then as a Senior Lawyer in government. Since 2013 I have concentrated on laws relating to WOE, from impact assessment and biodiversity conservation to pollution and emissions controls. I have broad experience giving strategic advice on WOE as it pertains to directors' duties, corporate acquisitions, business-as-usual operations, and litigation. My practice today focusses on the transition we have to have: from fossil fuels to renewable energy, which is in the public interest and the best interests of WOE. We advise on environmental assessment and approvals under the State and Commonwealth regimes for major projects. This covers pumped hydro, waste recycling, and wind, solar, and battery farms, as well as traditional power generation and the associated carbon sequestration efforts. We also practise in First Nations rights and interests, managing contaminated land, and environmental licensing and protection. This includes the evolving legal regimes directed at Australia's net zero carbon emissions targets, nature repair and nature positive development, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. I have worked on more than 100 litigation matters in the Local, Supreme, and Land and Environment Courts as well as the Court of Appeal and Federal Court. To take one example, in 2022 our team successfully acted for the developer of a solar farm, making it the first (and still only) solar farm to be approved by the Land and Environment Court after a full hearing in the Court’s five-decade history. As our team expands, we are looking for new and diverse talent to assist with strategic mandates for the private and public sectors. My profile and a summary of my recent experience is available on Bakers’ website.