Joanne Steer is the founder of Sovica Legal, a boutique firm based in Western Australia providing bespoke legal services to the global mining industry. Joanne holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from the University of Western Australia and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Admitted to the Supreme Courts of Western Australia and New South Wales in 2008 and the High Court of Australia in 2009, her experience spans across various continents, assisting both small explorers and large, listed producers. Renowned for her drafting acumen, practical advice, and commercial approach to negotiations, Joanne's expertise in commercial work within the mining sector has been recognised with multiple accolades such as the Legal 500 award in Transactions & Regulatory in 2023. Her practice includes engagements in asset and share sales, royalties, and shipping transactions. Prior to establishing Sovica Legal in 2023, Joanne served as Special Counsel at DLA Piper in Perth and contributed significantly at Allens Linklaters and Allion Partners. Her career has encompassed extensive experience in commodity sales involving gold, lithium, cobalt, and other minerals, addressing complex transactional matters in numerous international jurisdictions. Alongside her legal career, Joanne is a non-executive director of the Minds Count Foundation, advancing psychological health and safety in the legal profession. Joanne's current role as General Counsel and Joint Company Secretary for Genesis Minerals Limited encapsulates her leadership in legal and compliance functions, further underscoring her broad expertise and dedication to the legal profession. For more information or to discuss the legal services offered by Sovica Legal, please feel free to reach out to Joanne.
General Counsel & Joint Company Secretary
Genesis Minerals Limited
Sep 2025 - Present • 1 year 2 months
Head of Legal & Company Secretary
Genesis Minerals Limited
Sep 2024 - Sep 2025 • 1 year
GM - Legal
Genesis Minerals Limited
Feb 2024 - Aug 2024 • 6 months
Principal
Sovica Legal
Sep 2023 - May 2025 • 1 year 8 months
Non Executive Director
Minds Count Foundation
Aug 2023 - Present • 3 years 3 months
Consultant
DLA Piper
Aug 2023 - Sep 2024 • 1 year 1 month
Special Counsel
DLA Piper
May 2018 - Aug 2023 • 5 years 3 months
Senior Associate
DLA Piper
Sep 2014 - Apr 2018 • 3 years 7 months
Senior Associate
Allion Partners
Jan 2013 - Aug 2014 • 1 year 7 months
Solicitor
Allion Partners
Oct 2009 - Dec 2012 • 3 years 2 months
Lawyer
Allens
Feb 2008 - Oct 2009 • 1 year 8 months
Research Assistant
Allens
Feb 2007 - Jan 2008 • 11 months
Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
Australian Institute of Company Directors
2023
Legal Practice Management Course
The College of Law Australia
2023 - 2024
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
The College of Law Australia
2008
Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
The University of Western Australia
2003 - 2007
Bachelor of Arts, History
The University of Western Australia
2003 - 2005
Transactions & Regulatory
Legal 500
Mining Law
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