Jordan Phillips has over 15 years' experience advising clients exclusively in the energy and resources sector. He has a focus on M&A, joint ventures and project development. He is the business unit leader for MinterEllison's Energy, Resources & Projects team.

His clients include global mining companies, international joint venture participants and government owned corporations. Jordan assists clients by working with cross-disciplinary teams across MinterEllison to manage operational and regulatory risks in developing and operating mining and power assets. With a focus on Australian projects and transactions, Jordan also has transaction experience across Asia, the Middle-East, North Africa and the UK.

Recognitions 

• Best Lawyers, Mergers & Acquisitions, 2023-2024
• Who's Who Legal, Energy, Natural Resources & Mining, 2024
• Doyles Guide, Recommended Energy & Resources Lawyer, 2023
• Lead Partner, Infrastructure and Projects Deal of the Year 2021, Australasian Law Awards, Anglo American Moranbah North-Grosvenor Mining Complex Transaction.
  
• Highly recommended, Legal500 Natural Resources (Transactions and Regulatory) 2020: ‘Jordan Phillips is one of the most knowledgeable mining and M&A lawyers.’
• Doyles Guide, Leading Energy & Resources Lawyer, 2025

Education
LLB (HONS); BCOM

• Member, Queensland Law Society
• Member, Australian Mining and Petroleum Lawyers' Association

• MinterEllison advises Anglo American on A$1.6 billion sale
  

  MinterEllison advised Anglo American on the sale of its 33.3% minority interest in Jellinbah Group Pty Ltd (Jellinbah) steelmaking joint venture for A$1.6 billion.

• MinterEllison advises Anglo American on US$4.9 billion sale of steelmaking coal business
  

  MinterEllison advised Anglo American on the sale of its steelmaking coal business to Peabody Energy for up to US$3.775 billion and the sale of its interest in Jellinbah Group for ~US$1.1 billion.

• Kmart faces Federal Court challenge over ethical sourcing claims
  

  The Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association (AUTWA) have commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against KMART over ethical sourcing claims

• Modern Slavery Act reforms afoot - consultation closes 1 September 2025
  

  Consultation is underway on proposed reforms to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). In this article, we discuss the Australian Government's reform agenda and the key changes under consideration.

• Anglo American achieves four mine disposals
  

  MinterEllison have acted for Anglo American to advise on the divestment of all of its Australian coal mining assets.

   

• New insights into Modern Slavery legislation in Australia
  

  Following an international conference on modern slavery: ‘Implementing Australia’s Modern Slavery Act – Know Your Supply Chains’, our team shares new insights and takeaways.

• Force majeure and the resources industry - managing the impact of COVID-19
  The ripple effects of COVID-19 will continue to be felt in the Australian resources industry as contracting parties make ongoing commercial and operational decisions in uncertain and evolving circumstances. This article gives resources operators a framework within which to consider these issues and strategies to protect their interests.
• Modern Slavery Reporting - Year in Review
  

  Entities that have submitted their first modern slavery statement should now be considering what to address in their second.

• Modern slavery reporting deadline approaching
  

  The reporting deadline for many entities to submit their mandatory Modern Slavery Statement is fast approaching on 31 March 2021.

• Modern Slavery Act - Modern Slavery Amendment Bill 2021 (NSW)
  

  New South Wales' proposed Modern Slavery Amendment Bill aims to seek greater harmonisation with the Commonwealth's Modern Slavery Act.

• NSW worker-protection guideline: Regulating mining in an age of automation
  

  The New South Wales Resources Regulator has introduced an autonomous mobile mining plant guideline to assist mine operators to manage risks associated with the technology. Here, we analyse the NSW guideline and compare it to the approach taken in WA. We also discuss a recent Fair Work Commission decision, which provides important learnings for companies that are considering implementing autonomous mining.

  
  
• MEROLA 2020 structural changes to Queensland energy and resources law
  

  The MEROLA 2020 bill proposes significant structural changes to the operation of energy and resources legislation in Queensland.

   

• Changes to Australia's modern slavery regime under a new Australian Labor Party government
  

  The election of an Australian Labor Party government could see several regulatory changes introduced to strengthen Australia's modern slavery regime.

• Modern slavery | a shift away from box-checking to real impacts for business
  

  Businesses need to review their responsible procurement framework and approach to modern slavery reporting to avoid a potential fracture of their supply chains, and to maintain stakeholder confidence.

• Private equity in the energy & resources sector: reflections
  

  Private equity investment is likely to grow in the resources sector, and a nuanced approach is needed by vendors, purchasers and other stakeholders (and their advisers) to address the unique issues arising with this category of investor.

• Proposed reforms to Australia's modern slavery regime
  

  The highly anticipated report of the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) has been released, proposing a suite of reforms designed to strengthen the Act and increase compliance.