Law firms changing their ranks include Ashurst Perkins Coie, Clayton Utz, Gadens, Griffith Hack
Ashurst Perkins Coie, Clayton Utz, Gadens, Griffith Hack, Hall & Wilcox, Hicksons | Hunt & Hunt | Holman Webb, McCabes Lawyers, Roberts Crosbie Mortensen Lawyers, and Wotton Kearney were law firms that recently announced appointments across Australia.
Ashurst Perkins Coie announced the election of partners Nicholas Mavrakis, a member of the complex litigation team in Sydney, and Ben Hammond, managing partner of the Hong Kong office, to the global firm’s board as of 1 November 2026.
As of this October, David Hugo and Jason Ricketts, former Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer partners, have joined Clayton Utz’s Perth projects team. Hugo and Ricketts have brought their team from Chord Advisory with them.
On 2 October 2026, Gadens announced that it was adding to its national financial services, fintech, and property capabilities by welcoming partners Natasha Murgatroyd in Perth and Mizu Ardra in Melbourne.
Griffith Hack shared that it had appointed intellectual property lawyer James Robb as principal and practice group leader of its law and trademarks practice, effective 15 September 2026. Based in Melbourne, Robb joined from Mallesons.
On 7 October 2026, Hall & Wilcox welcomed Andrew Klein, an employment and workplace relations partner based in Canberra, as an addition to its national employment and Commonwealth government practices.
(Image caption: Andrew Klein, Hall & Wilcox)
On 25 September 2026, Hicksons | Hunt & Hunt | Holman Webb announced the addition of partners David McElveney and Glen Warwick in Sydney and Chloe Blackwell in Perth. They joined the construction and property practice from Norton Rose Fulbright.
On 28 September 2026, McCabes Lawyers announced the appointment of Michael Bracken as principal, leading a new financial services and financial institutions practice group within the firm’s commercial division. He is based in Sydney.
In late September, Roberts Crosbie Mortensen Lawyers shared that it had appointed Alexander Ware as special counsel and head of commercial litigation in its Sydney office. He was previously a senior associate at Maddocks.
(Image caption: Alexander Ware, Roberts Crosbie Mortensen Lawyers)
On 30 September 2026, Wotton Kearney said it was expanding its insurance capabilities in Melbourne through the addition of partner Claire Gomo and special counsel Andrew Karasmanis. They joined the firm’s general liability team.
Here are some other recent news stories on legal appointments across Australia.
Jones Day, Sparke Helmore, Hall & Wilcox, WRP Legal, Rigby Cooke Lawyers, and Gilchrist Connell previously announced appointments.
In August, King & Spalding announced the addition of Mandi Jacobson as a partner in its government matters and regulation practice group in Sydney.
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