DLA Piper has landed one of Western Australia's most respected LNG lawyers, appointing Nikki van der Meer as a partner in its Projects practice in Perth.

Van der Meer joins from Ashurst, where she was counsel.

She brings more than 15 years’ experience guiding global energy clients through complex transactions and project development. Her work spans the full lifecycle: exploration, infrastructure, regulatory advice and cross-border M&A. She’s advised on some of WA’s most significant LNG and gas projects.

Before Ashurst, she spent a decade at Norton Rose Fulbright.

Global Co-Chair Energy and Natural Resources and Perth Office Managing Partner Alex Jones said:

“Nikki is a highly respected and trusted legal advisor with a wealth of experience advising leading multinational energy companies through complex transactions and upstream and downstream project development. Her skills complement the strength of firm's local and global LNG and natural resources team as well as the Perth office's leading mining team, enabling us to add further value to clients as they focus on their energy transition efforts.”

Country Managing Partner Shane Bilardi added that van der Meer’s “international outlook will be of real value to clients executing complex M&A and investment strategies in Australia and across global markets.”

The hire builds on DLA Piper’s late-2025 energy push, which saw the firm land Noni Shannon and Brendon Lamers, both seasoned energy and resources practitioners. It’s a clear signal that the firm is serious about owning the energy transition space in Australia.

Source: DLA Piper