John W H Denton
Partner and Chief Executive Officer. Melbourne.
+61 3 9672 3158 | john.denton@corrs.com.au | vCard
Corrs Partner & CEO John W.H. Denton is a global leader in three arenas; a legal expert in the areas of government, workplace relations, and international trade and investment; a national business leader and an international adviser on global policy. His advice is sought by the nation’s most prominent corporations and by governments and international bodies alike.
John is one of three Prime Ministerial representatives on the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC); Chair of ABAC’s Finance and Economics Working Group; board member of the Business Council of Australia (BCA); Chair of the BCA Global Engagement Taskforce and Chairman of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees Australia.
John was a government appointed panel member of the Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness. He was also appointed by the Prime Minister and Treasurer as one of two originating Australian members of the B20, the business reference group of the G20; and is an external advisor on the Federal Government advisory panel to oversee the development of a white paper on the social, economic, strategic and environmental implications of the Asian century for Australia.
John is also a board member of the Commonwealth Business Council and the Asia Society Australasia Centre.
He is a former diplomat, has a double degree in Arts and Law, and is a Harvard Business School alumnus.
John is recognised as one of the best labour law practitioners in the Asia-Pacific by Asialaw Leading Lawyers Survey and one of Australia’s best government and trade lawyers in the 2011 Best Lawyers peer survey.
John's Expertise
John's Leadership
- Australian American Leadership Dialogue Participant
- LEK Consulting Advisory Board Board Member
- Law Institute of Victoria Member
- Arts Centre Foundation Governor
- Harvard Business School Alumnus
- Australia for UNHCR Chair
- International Employment Law Alliance Asia Pacific Taskforce Chair and Australian Representative
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Business Council of Australia (BCA)
- Board Member
- Chairman - Global Engagement Taskforce - The Global Foundation Member - Advisory Council
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APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC)
- Chairman (Sustainable Development Working Group)
- Chairman (Finance and Economics Working Group)
- Member - Asia Society AustralAsia Centre Board Member
- Experts Group on Trade and Investment in Indonesia Chairman (emeritus)
- Georgetown University Board Member - Centre for Australian and New Zealand Studies
- Large Law Firm Group (LLFG) Director
- Best Lawyers Advisory Board Board Member
- Teach for Australia Board Member
What others say
- “Due to his profile and the advancements [Corrs] have made, they sit comfortably now among the top legal firms in Australia, in many ways punching above their weight.” John Eales, Learning from Legends Business, 2008
- “The Denton web of influence extends far and wide” Australian Legal Business
- “The legal profession has a new male champion of change in John Denton” The Australian (5 August 2011)
- “John Denton is a man on a mission” Australian Legal Business
- “Best labour lawyer” Asialaw Leading Lawyers Survey
- “Best Government and Trade Lawyer” Best Lawyers Peer Review 2009, 2010 & 2011
- “A prominent figure in ... business circles ... a consummate networker with connections across the spectrum, from the corporate world, to the arts and into politics.” Fairfax Press (13 February 2010)
- “A ready recognisable name” Australian Legal Business
- “A doyen of Australian policy in China.” The Australian (23 April 2012)
John's Thinking
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Leadership Speeches
A complete archive of speeches delivered by John W.H. Denton and other members of Corrs' leadership.
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If Asia is the new Britain, we need a new passport
23rd February 2012
Asia is the future growth engine for Australia’s funds management industry, but regulatory differences between countries make it inefficient and expensive to sell financial products in the region. Australia’s proposed Asia Region Funds Management Pas
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Australia in the Asian Century - Issues Paper
19th December 2011
How can Australia seize the opportunities and meet the challenges in this period of transformative economic, political, strategic and social change in Asia?
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With trade barriers reappearing, G20 leaders must get serious
2nd November 2011
It's a critical time for international trade and investment. While the global economy - buffeted by concerns over sovereign debt in Europe - needs the benefit of trade liberalisation to boost business confidence, the World Trade Organisation negotiat
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A conversation with the community
1st November 2011
The long-term strength of the Australian economy is increasingly dependent on connections with other countries in our region and around the world.
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Reactions from APEC Summit 2010
1st February 2011
Corrs Partner & CEO John W.H. Denton outlines some of the issues raised at the APEC Summit 2010 and what their impact might be on citizens, government and the private sector in the region.
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Australian Government Procurement a Time for Reform?
1st December 2010
From paper clips to fighter aircraft to cleaning services, governments across Australia acquire goods and services on a daily basis. ‘Calls for tender’ have appeared in daily papers for as long as we can remember. Today, tendering via the internet is becoming the norm and with increased volume thanks to the Commonwealth Government stimulus packages in response to the Global Financial Crisis.
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A force for good
12th November 2010
A major challenge for the G20 is to make sure that it acts in the economic interests of all nations, not just its members. This is essential to remaining relevant and effective in supporting sustained economic global growth.
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