The new hire, who hails from Piper Alderman, brings over 20 years' experience to the firm
Macpherson Kelley has boosted its commercial practice with the appointment of a new principal lawyer.
Sarah Johnson joins the firm’s team in Sydney. She moves from Piper Alderman, where she had been a partner since 2018.
Johnson brings over 20 years’ experience in commercial law to Macpherson Kelley. She has a broad range of expertise in governance and structuring, IP, IT, private M&A and private equity transactions in sectors such as heavy industry, biotech, manufacturing and FMCG.
In her practice, she advises privately held companies, startups, investors and individuals. She also boasts extensive experience in the not-for-profit (NFP) sector, working with peak bodies and other NFPs on governance, restructuring and mergers, collaboration arrangements, federal and state government contracts and funding arrangements. She has also assisted on agreements with third parties like donors and sponsors.
“Sarah’s approach and personality exemplify the firm’s core values and her experience fits with our brand and the style of service we want to deliver to clients. We are delighted to have her join the team,” national managing principal Grant Guenther said.
Johnson said that the firm’s strong reputation, straight-talking style and commercial focus was a “natural fit” for her, adding that Macpherson Kelley’s business- and client-centric nature drew her.
“I am excited to join the commercial team and look forward to introducing my clients to the firm and engaging with the firm’s existing clients to assist them in achieving their business objectives,” she said.
In 2000, Johnson began her legal career in New Zealand as an associate with Chen Palmer Partners’ Wellington office before joining Auckland’s Mallow Goodwin Harford in 2002. She moved to Australia and joined Kemp Strang (now Thomson Geer) in 2006.
Macpherson Kelley also brought in Rosemary Carreras as a principal for the private clients team in April.
