About Simonetta

Simonetta joined Maddocks as a founding partner of the Canberra office. She is recognised as being an outstanding lawyer for government, with expertise across probity and audit, complaints investigations, procurement and contracting, corporate governance, commercial, FOI, statutory interpretation, and regulatory decision-making.

Simonetta is known for being easy to work with; understanding the complexities and bigger picture; and giving sensible, pragmatic advice in that context. She is the go-to probity and process advisor for large, complex and sensitive Commonwealth projects and procurements.

Simonetta was recognised by Australasian Lawyers as an Elite Woman 2022; awarded Government Partner of the Year in the 2019 Australian Law Awards; recognised as one of Australia's leading lawyers in the fields of Government, Corporate/Governance and Regulatory Practice in Best Lawyers since 2011; voted as Best Lawyers 2022 Lawyer of the Year for Government in the ACT; listed in Doyle's Guide as one of Australia's leading administrative and public lawyers for 2021; and ranked in Chambers Guide (Asia-Pacific) for Government.

Simonetta is the leader of the firm's Commonwealth Government Sector team and a member of Maddocks Board.

Experience

• Probity

  Simonetta has unparalleled experience as a probity and process adviser on complex, sensitive, high profile, large projects, procurements and grant processes for both government and private sector clients. She has advised on the full range of issues that can be encountered on any matter, and she can draw on her extensive experience to advise clients on structuring their projects and processes to ensure they are defensible, as well as on implementation.

• Procurement & Contracting

  Simonetta is one of Australia’s leading procurement lawyers, and regularly advises Commonwealth clients on procurement and contracting matters, including particularly services outsourcing and acquisition.

• Corporate & Governance

  Assisting with the establishment of public sector bodies (including statutory authorities) and private sector companies; advising private and public sector bodies on applicable governing legislation; advising public and private sector boards on corporate governance, conflicts of interest, and developing relevant policies; advising on company constitutions.

• Administrative Law

  Advising on defensible decision-making including in regulatory and operational contexts; drafting show cause notices; drafting statements of reasons; and on delegations and authorisations.

• FOI

  Advising both public and private sector clients on the processing and submission of FOI requests, including undertaking or responding to third party consultation processes; advising on applicable FOI legislation.