Samuel Porter

About

At different times I've been the lawyer in the room or the executive who had to make the call. I can help you navigate: 1. Things that have gone wrong: you're facing a crisis, a cyber incident, corruption or misconduct allegations, and other unexpected governance lapses. I'll help you to plan, respond, investigate and recover and minimise exposure. 2. Government procurement processes: you want to win work from the government, or you're already doing it but not sure you're compliant. I'll help you with deal strategy, negotiation, compliance and freedom of information requests. 3. Regulatory change: you're going to be affected by a public inquiry, proposed legislation, regulation or regulatory action. I'll help you understand the impact, advocate your position and to comply when it's locked-in. How I work: I'm AI native, so you get fast results at a fair price, and you don't pay my fixed costs. I'd rather help you build the playbook than be paid twice for repeatable work. The experience behind it: I started my career as a telecoms and technology lawyer in the world's top firms (Mallesons in Melbourne and Linklaters in London), and then had the privilege of working as a senior lawyer and senior executive in Australia's federal and state government systems. I've managed legal teams, legislative programs, regulatory proposals and crisis responses as the most senior lawyer or decision-maker. My experience helps you to make ethical decisions that stand the test of time.

Practice Areas

Featured Clients

VicTelstraBarclaysAustralian Government

Services

• Australian Counsel, On Call

  Your client, or your company, needs help to enter the Australian market, respond to something tricky, or local counsel support on a trans-border transaction. You need someone independent who actually knows the terrain. I give you a fast, senior, fixed-fee answer, and I stay only as long as you need me.
  Contact
• First 48: Cyber, Misconduct and Corruption Response

  Something big just surfaced, like a cyber incident, a corruption allegation, or a staff complaint, and the next 48 hours will determine how bad this gets. You don't yet know what to preserve, who must be told, whether to suspend anyone, or what's privileged. I'll help you assess the situation and come up with a plan to navigate the first 48 hours and what's needed next, including options that don't involve me. If it converts to a full engagement, my fee is credited towards that work.
  $5,000
• Transparency Law Response: freedom of information and parliamentary scrutiny

  An agency just told you it's about to release your pricing or contract under freedom-of-information laws, or a parliamentary order has caught your documents, or your company's name is on next week's hearing list. I help you assess the risk and make a submission.
  $5,000

"His advice is sound, grounded, and delivered with care, even in the most complex situations. Importantly, his guidance is rooted in integrity - he doesn’t just say what people want to hear, but what they need to hear, and he does so with honesty and compassion."

Work

• 
  Deputy CEO / Chief Operating Officer / Chief Security Officer

  Australian Government

  Feb 2023 - Jul 2026
• 
  Head of Justice and Public Safety, Australia and New Zealand

  Amazon Web Services (AWS)

  Feb 2022 - Apr 2023
• 
  Senior lawyer and senior executive

  Victorian Government

  Apr 2014 - Feb 2022

Education

• Queensland University of Technology
  Law