Brigid O’Neil, Principal
Brigid O’Neill is a bilingual senior lawyer and commercial/operations executive with 20 years’ experience in blue chip law firms and companies in Australia and Europe.
Originally from the Adelaide Hills, Brigid graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Arts (politics/languages) and a Bachelor of Law. After completing her master’s level Public International Law studies in France (in French) she was recruited to the “magic circle” firms of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and then Steptoe & Johnson. Working initially in Paris and later in London, Brigid represented multinationals, sovereign governments and FTSE 50 corporates in commercial transactions and corporate disputes in both English and French.
BON Advisory continues to grow every day thanks to the value we demonstrate for our clients. We cover many industries such as defence, health, ITC and government agencies.
In the last 10 years, Brigid further augmented her experience with London based executive operations and commercial roles, frequently being sought out as a trouble shooter for specific projects that were under time pressure, required additional stakeholder management or remedial renegotiation. Brigid has significant skill in business development from a commercial perspective and is adept at shaping deals, leading multidisciplinary bid teams and negotiating complex multiparty (including back to back supply chain) contracts.
In 2017 Brigid returned to Adelaide to lead the legal and commercial team at the Department of Premier & Cabinet, focusing on bringing private sector commercial aptitude to government projects and thereby encouraging investment in the State. This included leading elements of the SAHMRI 2 project and the establishment of Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy & Research.
Brigid has provided advisory and consulting services in commerce, law and operations over the course of her career and has recently decided to focus on these services to the Australian market.
An exceptional negotiator with strong communication, analytical and lateral problem-solving skills, Brigid has has a reputation for quickly grasping complex issues with a ‘can do’ approach to delivering fit for purpose solutions. A strong entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a spirited, positive and enthusiastic attitude help her to succeed.
Memberships
- Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Law Society of South Australia
- French Australian Chamber of Commerce
- IACCM – International Association of Contract and Commercial Management (accredited at Expert level)
- Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)
- London Chamber of International Arbitration
- International Chamber of Commerce Commission on Arbitration
- British Institute of International and Comparative Law
- Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution
- Law Society of England & Wales
- Jurisdictions and International Experience
Governance & Advisory Boards
A member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a graduate of their Company Director’s Course, Brigid has been involved in governance and advisory boards for 15 years. She is currently a non-executive director at Parkinson’s SA and on the Advisory Board of Blue UK, an engineering start-up with a focus on climate change.
Industry Sectors
- Defence
- Health
- ITC
- Government
Global Experience
Brigid has held practising certificates in New South Wales, South Australia and England & Wales (United Kingdom) and has travelled widely both for work and pleasure. Brigid has represented clients from across the globe and acted on matters in jurisdictions as broad as:
– Africa: Ethiopia, Senegal
– EU: France, UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Greece, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland,
– CEE: Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey
– Australia: New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Federal
– North America: United States