I bring key public sector understanding to private clients, practical private sector knowledge to public clients and maximize the potential of EY’s capabilities to support them all.

Adam Coonan

Oceania Corporate Law Partner

Focus on the ‘G’ in ESG. Passionate about making a difference. Relationship builder seeking to inspire and motivate others. Loves politics and everything sport.

Areas of focus

Adam is a partner based in EY’s Sydney office with applied expertise in corporate governance law, policy and practice.  He provides advice to the boards, c-suites and legal/governance functions of public and private sector clients, supporting them with complex governance driven priorities and guiding their strategic transactions. He has a developed focus on Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) / Sustainability challenges and opportunities, advising businesses on their ESG informed decision making, compliance and reporting.

Adam was formerly a senior executive in public service where he led a range of significant projects and initiatives. Prior to this he honed his expertise in corporate governance as Head of Secretariat & Company Secretary of the wealth arm of a large listed Australian bank.

Adam earned Bachelors of Economics (Soc Sci) and Law (with 1st Class Honours) from the University of Sydney as well as an MBA from the UNSW Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM). During his law studies he was an exchange scholar at Duke University School of Law and remains a passionate ‘Blue Devil’ to this day. He is also a Notary Public, Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute and Governance Institute of Australia (GIA) and an active Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

How Adam is building a better working world

"With extensive work experience in both the public and private sectors, much of my work is centered at the intersection between them. It is my view that public and private concepts of corporate governance are converging and understanding both is integral to our working world. With my knowledge of those concepts, I bring them to the fore so we can all learn and advance.

I also believe in the value of mentoring – both being mentored and mentoring others. I seek to build a better working world by inspiring others to positive action, helping them grow and utilize what I have learned and continue to learn. We are all better for knowing more. By knowing more, we all advance, together."

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