Jimmie Harris

Prior to settling in Australia in 1987, Jimmie worked as an engineer, lawyer and general counsel in the US. Jimmie was graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in law following a previous degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois. Since coming to Australia Jimmie has worked for most of the last 19 years as the principal legal, contracting and commercial officer and company secretary for the Australian branch of the international defence company Thales SA and its predecessor company Thomson-CSF.

During that time, Jimmie has developed a well deserved international reputation for the structure, negotiation, and execution of high value, complex commercial and defence projects. Jimmie has played a key role not only in the acquisition and disposition of major capital assets, but also in the M & A of SME’s, and the development of public private partnerships. Working for Thales Jimmie was instrumental in its Collins Class Submarine, Anzac, and Huon Class mine hunter contracts; the Australian Advanced Air Traffic System project; and Thales’ acquisition of 100% of the largest Australian defence contractor ADI Limited.

With his experience and background in both engineering and law, in 2000 Jimmie was asked by the Commonwealth of Australia to participate in the drafting of the Commonwealth’s standard suite of acquisition contracts. He is internationally known as one of the foremost civilian experts on the Australian Defence Force tender and procurement process. As a result, Jimmie’s advice on doing business with the ADF has been sought by companies in Europe, Asia and the US.

Jimmie’s experience and his expertise in both legal and engineering matters provides Phoenix with the ability to offer potential clients in depth and expert advice on achieving the best possible commercial and contracting outcomes with respect to any engineering oriented project.