Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Australia’s leading independent law firm, has announced the appointment of Dr Robert Fearn, a founder of NSW Police’s digital forensic technology research laboratory, as a Forensic Technology Manager in its Legal Technology Solutions (LTS) group.
Joining from NSW Police where he was the Research and Development Manager of the State Electronic Evidence Branch, Dr Fearn has worked on high-tech crime, fraud and criminal matters. He has extensive experience in acquiring and analysing all types of electronic evidence and conducting complex investigations.
Dr Fearn has forensically analysed hundreds of devices such as computers, physical and cloud servers, smart phones, GPS systems, cameras, CCTV, USB storage, IoT and encrypted devices. He has provided expert evidence reports in criminal prosecutions, coronial inquiries and has made numerous expert witness court appearances.
According to Head of LTS and Corrs Partner Michael do Rozario, “Corrs is able to offer a true digital forensic solution with highly qualified and experienced experts that can preserve, acquire and report on electronic evidence to a standard that can be used in court.
“Our combination of the forensic expertise and top-tier legal services provides a one-stop shop for our clients, where forensic technology support and legal advice can be provided through a single engagement, rather than needing multiple service providers. This single source of forensic expertise and legal advice provides clients with greater security and less complications in collecting evidence for investigations, inquiries and disputes,” he said.
“With Dr Fearn’s addition to the team, Corrs clients have the benefit of multiple experts who possess extensive experience in acquiring electronic evidence, and particularly in uncovering evidence that has been deliberately hidden or erased.”
Dr Fearn’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, a Graduate Certificate in Science (Forensic Computing) and a PhD in Physics, awarded by UNSW. He is a certified forensic computer examiner and recognised as one of Australia’s experts in this field. He has also been awarded the NSW Police Certificate of Merit and Young Inventors Award Silver Medal.
Dr Fearn will work closely with Corrs’ National Forensic Technology Manager Phil Magness to further enhance the firm’s integrated offering in this area to clients.
Corrs forensic technology capabilities have quickly developed a strong reputation in the market, and have assisted clients to obtain and analyse electronic evidence on a wide variety of disputes, investigations and cyber matters. Dr Fearn’s skills will also support Corrs Cyber, which provides post breach investigation, analysis and legal advice to clients who have been the victim of hacking, internal or external data breaches or cyber-crime.