A few developments in Australia this week..
The New Lawyer has published three stories of special interest..
Gilbert & Tobin Has A New Banking & Finance Partner
3 July 2009
Duncan McGrath has started his term as partner of Gilbert + Tobin’s banking and finance practice this week, having first joined the firm in 2007. McGrath’s internal appointment follows the addition of former Freehills partner John Schembri to the firm’s banking and finance practice last October as head manager. Gilbert + Tobin managing partner, Danny Gilbert, said: “The added capacity Duncan brings to our banking and finance group will greatly assist our ambitions to build one of the country’s leading banking and finance practices.”
Freehills tops league table for fifth year
3 July 2009 | by Kellie Harpley
Freehills has topped the mid-year Australia and New Zealand Bloomberg M&A Legal Advisory League Tables for the fifth year running with a deal count of 45- 20 more than its nearest competitor Clayton Utz.
The quarterly tables for the Asia Pacific region also show a growth in the number of M&A deals for the first time in more than a year, signalling positive change for the M&A landscape.
Although the figures are down on the comparative period last year, deal volume is up by 37 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2009.
http://www.thenewlawyer.com.au/article/freehills-tops-league-table-for-fifth-year/489154.aspx
and finally from the New Lawyer
Allens Arthur Robinson redundancies approved
3 July 2009
It has been confirmed that more than 100 staff at Allens Arthur Robinson have been approved for redundancy. An Allens spokesperson said 114 staff had opted to leave the firm, with effect from the end of the financial year. The firm will now reorganise its structure following the departures. It is the first time in at least 20 years that the firm has offered a voluntary redundancy program. The move by Allens to offer a voluntary redundancy program is in contrast to other firms which simply told staff they no longer had jobs.The spokesperson said those opting for redundancies included lawyers, corporate services staff and secretaries
http://www.thenewlawyer.com.au/article/allens-arthur-robinson-redundancies-approved/489155.aspx
Also Minter Ellison have sent out a press release announcing the appointment of 15 new partners…
Minter Ellison Legal Group adds 15 new partners – Australia Law & Jobs
The Minter Ellison Legal Group appoints 15 new partners, 8 Special Counsel and 22 Senior Associates effective 1 July 2009. All of the new partners are internal promotions.
The Minter Ellison Legal Group has announced the appointment of 15 new partners, effective 1 July 2009:
- Nick Anson – Dispute Resolution (Commercial Litigation), Melbourne
- Simon Ball – Real Estate (Environment & Planning), Sydney
- Fai-Peng Chen – Corporate (Capital Markets, Energy & Resources), Adelaide
- Brendan Clark – Corporate (Energy & Resources), Brisbane
- Richard Crawford – Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure, Sydney
- Tyneil Flaherty – Dispute Resolution (Insolvency), Adelaide
- Andrew Gill – Dispute Resolution (Commercial Litigation), Canberra
- Bruce Legorburu – Corporate (Corporate & Commercial), Perth
- Dan Marks – Corporate (M&A), Adelaide
- Beverley Newbold – Dispute Resolution (Insurance & Corporate Disputes), Sydney
- David O’Farrell – Dispute Resolution (Corporate and Financial Disputes & Insolvency), Brisbane
- Marnie Robinson – Corporate (Energy & Resources), Adelaide
- Margie Tannock – Real Estate (Environment & Planning), Perth
- Matthew Tripodi – Taxation (Taxation, Superannuation & Estates), Adelaide
- Adrian Varrasso – Taxation, Melbourne
Concurrent with the partner appointments, the firm announced 8 new Special Counsel and 22 new Senior Associates.
Chief Executive Partner, John Weber, said the firm was delighted to recognise the contribution of these lawyers to the firm nationally and internationally: "Industry facing, client focused, solutions driven, team players – our new senior appointments embody the vision of our firm and the qualities of the very best lawyers."
All of the new partners are internal promotions and Mr Weber said it has been particularly satisfying to be able to grow the firm’s partner base from within:"It shows the quality and depth of talent in the firm. Bringing on lawyers of this calibre ensures our place as leading advisors in the Australasian and Asian marketplaces."
The firm has added significant weight to its restructuring/workouts and dispute resolution teams, reflecting the stronger demand in those practice areas. It has also strengthened its energy and resources, tax, and environment and planning base.
"These senior appointments not only meet current increased demand in some areas but also build strategic areas that will help us target the upswing expected as economies emerge from the global financial crisis," Mr Weber said. "They are our commitment to clients – to have senior people on the ground where they’re needed with market relevant expertise and focus."
Brief Bios of the new partners at Law Fuel .com http://www.lawfuel.co.nz/releases/release.asp?NewsID=1325
