Perry Q Wood has joined the Hugo Law Group as a partner, bringing decades of experience in administrative and criminal law to the firm. He is set to lead the strategy and growth of the firm, practicing primarily within its civil litigation division with a focus on intentional torts and police misconduct. Wood will also advise on anti-corruption, regulatory, and white-collar crime matters. He will continue to serve as managing partner of Australian Migration Lawyers, splitting his time between Melbourne and Sydney.
Wood’s appointment follows his recent win of the Managing Partner of the Year award at the Australian Law Awards. The Hugo Law Group stated that his “unique combination of regulatory experience, anti-corruption expertise, and crimmigration proficiency” was the primary reason for bringing him into the partnership. The firm’s founding partner, Tom Taylor, emphasized that the firm has “always been in the corner of people facing the state at its most powerful,” adding that Wood brings that same experience, particularly for clients whose charges put their immigration status at risk.
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“My career has always sat at the intersection of administrative and criminal law, so this new role feels like a natural extension of the work I have done for two decades,” Wood said. He added that he is looking forward to helping shape the firm’s strategy as it expands its national practice. Previously, Wood has served as a senior member and practice leader of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, was a key architect of the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission, and worked as Chief Judge’s Associate at the County Court of Victoria.
It is uncommon for a practitioner to hold both a high-profile management role at a specialized migration firm and a partnership at a general practice litigation group. This dual arrangement suggests Wood is prioritizing cross-pollination between administrative law and criminal defense, a niche that few firms manage to serve effectively. The move allows Hugo Law Group to leverage his specific background in regulatory affairs while maintaining the operational independence of his existing role.
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Wood’s career includes significant experience in government prosecution and anti-corruption bodies. He began as a graduate in the prosecutions division of Victoria Police and the Office of Public Prosecutions. He later served as a key architect of the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission. His tenure at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal as a senior member and practice leader further solidified his reputation in administrative law. He also worked as Chief Judge’s Associate to His Honour Chief Judge Michael Rozenes AO KC at the County Court of Victoria.