Thornton was a founding partner when the global firm entered the Australian market in 2012
Clyde & Co, a global law firm, has announced Jenny Thornton's return as its office managing partner in Perth, Western Australia.
Thornton, one of the firm's founding partners when it first ventured into the Australian market in 2012, has rejoined Clyde & Co after a stint at Quayside Chambers and is transitioning back to private practice.
Thornton will focus on driving the firm’s growth in Perth and across key sectors of the Australian economy, including insurance, aviation, energy, marine, and construction. Her role will also cover Clyde & Co’s work on disputes, regulatory matters, investigations, and corporate advisory services.
Simon McConnell, who chairs the firm’s Asia–Pacific board and serves as a partner in Hong Kong, called Thornton’s return a cornerstone of the firm’s plans for expanding within and beyond Perth, given the depth of her experience and connections.
“We have very concrete plans for growth in the Australian market, and our key sectors play very well into the Australian economy, and the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape,” said McConnell in the firm’s press release.
Rebecca Kelly, Clyde & Co's Australia managing partner, also expressed enthusiasm about Thornton’s appointment in the role. “She has excellent connections in the market stemming from decades of both private practice and at the bar, which we are excited to leverage for the benefit of our clients,” said Kelly in the press release.
Thornton herself said that she was excited about returning to her old firm. “The firm in Australia has tremendous potential for further growth, and I am excited by Rebecca’s leadership,” she said in the press release.
As a part of the firm’s efforts to expand its presence in Australia, it recently announced the promotion of five partners and 15 senior associates, effective last month. At the time of the announcement, its total number of Australian promotions nearly totalled to 30 for this year.
Its partner promotions effective July 1 were all in the insurance area, with Leah Hewish and Anthony Cooke promoted in Sydney, Hannes Marais and Jennifer Robbins in Brisbane, and Ross Donaldson in Melbourne.
Other new partners joining the Sydney office this year were Luke O’Kane and James Rigney in the insurance area, as well as Melissa Tang in energy, marine, and natural resources, according to a press release for the firm in June.