Bakers adds fourth lateral in eight months

Former Herbert Geer partner Martin Irwin has joined Baker & McKenzie’s projects and infrastructure team in Melbourne, the latest in a string of lateral hires

Former Herbert Geer partner Martin Irwin has joined Baker & McKenzie’s projects and infrastructure team in Melbourne, the latest in a string of lateral hires.

In 2013, Baker & McKenzie laterally recruited taxation lawyer Ellen Thomas, employment specialist Sean Selleck and the life sciences-focused Amanda Turnill.

Irwin’s appointment in early 2014 makes him the fourth lateral hire in just eight months.

Irwin’s advises on major projects and infrastructure, and regularly acts for institutional investors, borrowers, lenders and other capital providers on a range of infrastructure, project finance and transactional banking matters.

Baker & McKenzie’s national managing partner Chris Freeland said Irwin's previous experience advising pension funds and banks would help develop its local pension fund practice.

Irwin recently advised Canada's second largest pension fund, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, on a series of investments in Australian PPPs.

He also has Asia experience, having worked in business centres Hong Kong and Singapore as well as in Korea and Cambodia.