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); Co-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; board member of Asialink and Asia Society; Chairman (emeritus) of the Experts Group on Trade and Investment in Indonesia and a founding member of the Australia China CEO Roundtable meetings.

He was 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 also now a member of the Australian B20 leadership group.

John was also an external adviser on the Federal Government advisory panel that oversaw the development of the ‘Australia in the Asian Century’ White Paper released in October 2012 and a member of the Australian Government Cabinet sub-committee for the Asian Century White Paper review process. John is now a member of the Strategic Advisory Board advising the Government on implementation of the White Paper and on emerging policy issues.

John was a government appointed panel member of the Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness and has been Chairman of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees Australia more than a decade.

He is a former diplomat, has a double degree in Arts and Law, and is a Harvard Business School alumnus.

He 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 Best Lawyers peer survey.

John's Expertise

“Corrs has been blessed with great leadership and its commercial, client-led focus is second to none” Australian Financial Review

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
Business Council of Australia (BCA) - Board Member
- Chairman - Global Engagement Taskforce
The Global Foundation Member - Advisory Council
APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) - Chairman (Sustainable Development Working Group)
- Co-Chair (Finance and Economics Working Group)
- Member
Asia Society AustralAsia Centre Board Member
Experts Group on Trade and Investment in Indonesia Chairman
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
“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
“John Denton is a man on a mission” Australian Legal Business
“There aren’t too many managing partners who have to ear of the PM but Denton is one.” The Australian Financial Review Magazine ‘The Power Issue’, Legal Eagles List
“Best Lawyer - Labour” Asialaw Leading Lawyers Survey
“Best Lawyer - Government and Trade” Best Lawyers Peer Review, 2009-2013
“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
“A ready recognisable name” Australian Legal Business
“A doyen of Australian policy in China” The Australian
“The firm is known for its thought leadership role in the Asia Pacific” Australasian Legal Business
“Denton the architect of a massive restructure of the firm that has seen it broaden its expertise and engage in high- level regional economic discussions” Lawyers Weekly
“Best Lawyer - Employee Benefits” Best Lawyers Peer Review, 2013

John's Thinking

Positioning Australia in the Asian Century to navigate through uncertain times 29th May 2013
How do we position Australia for the Asian Century and navigate uncertain times ahead? The answer is in business opportunities the Asian Century will bring and in partnerships of many kinds.
More
The business case for sustainable development in the Asian Century 14th May 2013
The transformation of the Asian region into the economic powerhouse of the world is not only unstoppable, it is gathering pace.
More
Breathing life into the Asian Century White Paper 24th April 2013
A new Implementation Plan sets out the paths of action and time-frames to achieve the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper’s 25 key objectives.
More
Engagement with sub-national governments in Asia 24th April 2013
Sub-national governments provide important linkages in our growing integration with Asia and provide often unseen opportunities.
More
China: Where to from here? 23rd April 2013
China's rapid development is a global opportunity for economic benefit, but accessing these opportunities will require a lot of work and the breaking down of regulatory barriers.
More
Stronger Partnership: Pathways to a Closer Partnership 1st March 2013
It is important to deepen Australia-Japan relationships outside of government, including through greater economic investment and greater collaboration in developing infrastructure in the region.
More
Australia's ever increasing role in trade and investment in Asia 21st February 2013
Guest speaker at The Australian Club's International Table luncheon, Corrs Partner and CEO John W. H. Denton spoke of Australia's ever increasing role in trade and investment in Asia.
More
Asian Century challenges for Australian business 11th February 2013
The Asian Century White Paper poses a number of opportunities and challenges for Australian businesses.
More
The Australian economy and opportunities for greater engagement with Asia 4th December 2012
Corrs Partner and CEO John W. H. Denton participated as a guest of the Australian Government in a round table discussion in New Delhi that focused on the opportunities for greater engagement between Australian and India.
More
The future of the Asia Pacific economy 30th November 2012
Corrs Partner and CEO John W. H. Denton took part in a discussion on “The Future of the Asia Pacific Economy” at an Alliance 21 event held in Sydney.
More
All John's Thinking Articles »

John's Speeches

Positioning Australia in the Asian Century to navigate through uncertain times 29th May 2013
How do we position Australia for the Asian Century and navigate uncertain times ahead? The answer is in business opportunities the Asian Century will bring and in partnerships of many kinds.
More
The business case for sustainable development in the Asian Century 14th May 2013
The transformation of the Asian region into the economic powerhouse of the world is not only unstoppable, it is gathering pace.
More
Engagement with sub-national governments in Asia 24th April 2013
Sub-national governments provide important linkages in our growing integration with Asia and provide often unseen opportunities.
More
China: Where to from here? 23rd April 2013
China's rapid development is a global opportunity for economic benefit, but accessing these opportunities will require a lot of work and the breaking down of regulatory barriers.
More
Stronger Partnership: Pathways to a Closer Partnership 1st March 2013
It is important to deepen Australia-Japan relationships outside of government, including through greater economic investment and greater collaboration in developing infrastructure in the region.
More
Australia's ever increasing role in trade and investment in Asia 21st February 2013
Guest speaker at The Australian Club's International Table luncheon, Corrs Partner and CEO John W. H. Denton spoke of Australia's ever increasing role in trade and investment in Asia.
More
Asian Century challenges for Australian business 11th February 2013
The Asian Century White Paper poses a number of opportunities and challenges for Australian businesses.
More
The Australian economy and opportunities for greater engagement with Asia 4th December 2012
Corrs Partner and CEO John W. H. Denton participated as a guest of the Australian Government in a round table discussion in New Delhi that focused on the opportunities for greater engagement between Australian and India.
More
The future of the Asia Pacific economy 30th November 2012
Corrs Partner and CEO John W. H. Denton took part in a discussion on “The Future of the Asia Pacific Economy” at an Alliance 21 event held in Sydney.
More
Our place in the Asian Century: Southeast Asia as ‘The Third Way’ 29th November 2012
Corrs Partner and CEO John W. H. Denton participated in a Panel Discussion in response to the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper and the launch of the Asialink Report: Our place in the Asian Century: Southeast Asia as ‘The Third Way’.
More
Why cross-cultural leadership is essential for Asian Century success 26th November 2012
Corrs Partner and CEO John W. H. Denton outlines what Australia should be doing to build the cross-cultural leadership and literacy skills necessary to succeed in the Asian Century.
More
Influencing the Asian Century and strengthening relations with Taiwan 23rd November 2012
Australia and Taiwan have highly complementary economies, mutual interests and good prospects for the future, but the relationship requires more investment and integration.
More
China, Australia and ASEAN - A new dynamic for future growth 21st November 2012
Australia can build on existing supply chain arrangements, capital flows, infrastructure requirements and relationships to create a new dynamic for our region.
More

Leadership Speeches

A complete archive of speeches delivered by John W.H. Denton and other members of Corrs' leadership.
All Leadership Speeches »