Together, we make it happen

CEO/Principal Solicitor

David Salim

BACKGROUND

David joined the Hetherington team in April 2010 and has been Company Principal of Hetherington Sydney since April 2016, and Company Principal of Hetherington Perth since April 2019.

David graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance Major), and Bachelor of Laws in 2008, where he studied Environmental Law and Native Title Law. David then went on to complete his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice in 2009 and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in December 2009.

Prior to joining Hetherington, David worked in NSW Parliament in the Shadow Attorney General’s Office and in a general practice private law firm as a Legal Clerk and Graduate Solicitor, dealing with a wide variety of matters and clientele.

EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Over the last 13 years, David has built a reputation for excellence in resources, mining and environmental law, accelerating Hetherington’s growth to the full-service firm it is today. Hetherington has close to 20 consultants and lawyers and three distinct entities: Hetherington Tenements, Hetherington Legal and Hetherington Environmental.

David specialises in legal compliance, regulation and management of exploration and mining tenure, partnering with ASX listed and privately owned mining and exploration companies within all jurisdictions of Australia, and internationally, including Pacific Region, New Zealand, Canada, North and South America.

A finalist in the 2019 NSW Minerals Council’s Young Achiever award and 2020 Gender Diversity Advocate awards, David has a proven track record and vast experience in:

• Land access arrangements and landholder arbitration, Native Title, the Right to Negotiate process, Aboriginal Land Council Land, and Aboriginal Sites, Places and Objects.
• Property reviews, managing conflicts and competition of land use, managing land rehabilitation protocols and outcomes, approvals of state significant developments, Agricultural land objections.
• Advice and the administration of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

David is also a specialist practitioner in VALMIN Code 2015, ASIC and ASX compliant Independent Solicitor Reports, having assisted several companies in the private sector to submit Independent Solicitor Reports to the Australian, Canadian and Singaporean Stock Exchanges.

David prides himself on providing the highest level of customer service for his clients and continues to work towards becoming a leading authority in the industry.

INDUSTRY ADDRESSES AND ASSOCIATIONS

David’s legal insights and expertise in resources and environmental law are regularly sought out by industry associations. Popular events that David has spoken at include:

• AMEC NSW Deputy Premier Boardroom Lunch, 2022, 2019
• AMEC NSW End of Year Function at Parliament House, 2019
• Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) National Convention in Perth, 2018
• NSW Minerals Council’s Exploration and Tenure Forum, 2023, 2019, 2018 and 2017
• Presentation on NSW to Chinese Government delegation at University on Sydney, 2016 and 2015.
• 4th Annual India Coal Conference, 2022

David’s mining industry professional associations include:

• Austmine Corporate Member
• AusIMM NSW Women in Mining Committee member and mentor.
• Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) Associate Member, Deputy Chair of the NSW Advisory Committee
• Australian Energy and Resources Law Association (ER Law).
• Member Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).
• NSW Minerals Council Associate Member, Exploration & Tenure Committee Member
• NSW, SA, and NT Government Department Industry Committees
• NSW Law Society
• NSW Committee Member of The Institute of Quarrying Australia
• NSW Deputy Premier Minerals Industry Advisory Committee
• WA Law Society

David is proud to contribute to industry by sponsoring:

• AMEC Western Australia Tenure Forum, 2021
• AMEC NSW Deputy Premier Boardroom Lunch, 2022, 2020, 2019
• AMEC NSW End of Year Function, 2019
• AMEC WA Environment and Land Access Seminar, 2021
• AMEC WA Awards Dinner, 2022, 2021
• IQA National Quarry Conference, 2022
• NSW Mines and Wines Conference, 2022 and 2019
• NSW Minerals Council Exploration and Tenure Forum, 2023, 2021, 2020 and 2019
• NSW Minerals Council Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) Conference, 2022, 2019
• Sydney Mining Club, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019
• SMEDG Christmas Cruise, 2019
• SMEDG Jubilee Conference, 2022
• South Australian Exploration and Mining Conference (SAEMC), 2022, 2021, 2020
• Women in Mining NSW (AusIMM), 2022, 2021 and 2020
• 4th Annual India Coal Conference, 2022

AWARDS

David’s awards include:

HONORARY GRATITUDE AWARD, Australian Government, Presented by the Prime Minister, David received the award for his volunteer work in Nepal.

FINALIST GENDER DIVERSITY ADVOCATE – NSW MINERAL COUNCIL, February 2020

FINALIST YOUNG ACHIEVER – NSW MINERALS COUNCIL, June 2019

Non-Executive Director

Vivian Salim

With over 15 years of corporate law experience spanning top-tier, mid-size, and boutique law firms, Vivian is a Non-Executive Director at Hetherington, where she plays a pivotal role as a strategic advisor to the executive team. In this capacity, she provides critical insights that shape the direction of the business.

Vivian heads up the internal policy at Hetherington, overseeing governance and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy, ensuring that the firm adheres to the highest standards of compliance and ethical practice.

Additionally, she leads the social impact arm of Hetherington, driving the firm’s philanthropic endeavours, which are core to the company’s cultural values. Vivian’s leadership in this area focuses on the firm’s corporate social responsibility program and spearheading national charity initiatives.

An influential adviser, negotiator, and communicator, Vivian has key expertise in litigation at both Federal and State levels, with extensive experience in the Federal Court, Supreme Court, District Court, and Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Throughout her career, she has advised and represented major corporations, Commonwealth departments, insurers, self-insured licensees, and various government agencies.

Managing Consultant/Associate Solicitor

Julia Catalano

Julia is a Managing Consultant/Associate Solicitor located in our Perth Hetherington office.

Julia has completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce at Curtin University and is admitted as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

Julia has experience in tenement management, mining law and native title law, navigating the complex legal framework of the mining and resources sector. She provides strategic and practical advice to clients nationally, primarily in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Her expertise includes land access, Native Title, heritage compliance, and representation in the Warden’s Court, alongside managing tenements and associated obligations.

Julia’s areas of expertise include:

1. Tenement management, including mining tenement/petroleum applications, and ensuring strict compliance with statutory obligations under the Mining Act 1978 (WA), Mining Act 1971 (SA) and Mineral Titles Act 2010 (NT); liaising with government departments; and strategically managing tenement portfolios to minimise compliance risk.
2. Mining and Native Title law, including drafting and negotiating land access agreements, farm-in/joint venture agreements, and royalty agreements; negotiating heritage agreements; preparing Independent Tenement Reports for initial public offerings; and acting in Warden’s Court disputes.

Her experience allows her to deliver a practical, solution-focused approach to assist clients in navigating the complexities of the resource sector.

Managing Consultant

Yung Ju

Yung is a Managing Consultant located in our Sydney Hetherington office.

Yung completed a Bachelor of Laws with a Major in Criminology at Macquarie University and is currently in the process of undertaking his Practical Legal Training.

Before joining Hetherington, Yung gained professional experience in various areas of legal practice, including criminal law, family law and civil litigation. Coupled with over 4 years of customer service experience, Yung is skilled at interpersonal communication and meeting the needs of clients.

With his extensive legal and advocacy skillset, Yung is equipped to assist clients in navigating the complex regulatory regime of mining legislation and environmental approvals in numerous jurisdictions and is dedicated to achieving the best possible results for his clients.

Yung is also fluent in Korean.

Financial Controller

Chloe Zhu

Assistant Manager

Jemima Moffat

Jemima is an Assistant Manager located in our Sydney office.

She attended the University of Notre Dame and attained a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics). Jemima is presently completing her practical legal training and anticipates admission to the Supreme Court of NSW in late 2023.

Before joining Hetherington, Jemima gained invaluable experience across various areas of legal practice, including commercial law, family law and arbitration.

Jemima is committed to fostering long term relationships across the mining and resources sector. She looks forward to combining her knowledge and passion for the law to achieve the best possible results for her clients.

Senior Consultant

Karinne Moss

Karinne is a Senior Consultant located in our Sydney Hetherington office.

Karinne holds Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Marketing) degrees from the University of Auckland. Karinne was admitted as a barrister and solicitor to the High Court of New Zealand in September 2023. She was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Scheme in June 2024.

Prior to joining Hetherington, Karinne worked as a junior barrister at a generalist civil litigation practice in Auckland, where she assisted senior counsel in a wide array of legal disputes. Karinne’s broad professional experience means she is highly adaptable and well-equipped to handle challenges big and small.

As a senior consultant, Karinne is committed to applying her professional expertise and delivering exceptional results for all clientele.

Senior Consultant

Emily-Rose Clemence

Emily-Rose graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Canterbury in 2023, with a particular focus on environmental and property law. She completed her Professional Legal Studies in May 2024 and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in December 2024. Emily-Rose intends to apply for admission to the Supreme Court of New South Wales under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Scheme.

Before joining Hetherington, Emily-Rose gained valuable experience working in property law, with a strong emphasis on property development. She also worked in business development and as a client relations manager for the top real estate franchise in New Zealand, further developing her skills in managing client expectations and fostering positive relationships.

Emily-Rose is committed to applying her legal and business experience to support her clients in successfully managing their tenement portfolios.

Consultant

Olivia Lee

Consultant/Solicitor

Katherine Vargoczky

Consultant/Solicitor

Bianca Hidalgo

Consultant

Danielle Whitley

Danielle is a Consultant located in our Perth Hetherington office.

Danielle holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom. She is currently in the process of converting her qualification for admission to the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

Before joining Hetherington, Danielle gained extensive experience across various legal sectors, including personal injury, recoveries, and property law. Since moving to Australia Danielle has taken a keen interest in mining law and looks forward to using her experience to achieve optimal outcomes for clients.

Consultant

Radoslav Lucic

Consultant

Lorenzo Borje

Office Administrator

Lauren Mulligan

Administrative Assistant

Lucy Harrison

Administrative Assistant

Mandy Loveland

Personal Assistant

Imogen Ingram