The firm also promoted a new special counsel
KHQ Lawyers has welcomed the addition of two senior lawyers to the principal solicitor team in Melbourne.
Kate Landells is a part of the firm’s corporate and commercial practice. She has a wealth of experience in corporate and commercial matters, especially in the areas of business succession, stakeholder agreements, M&A, capital raisings (including private placements, entitlement offers, initial public offerings and backdoor listings), restructurings and corporate governance.
She has worked with family businesses, ASX-listed companies and company shareholders on various types of deals across several industries, including manufacturing and technology.
“Kate is a technically excellent lawyer, and plays a pivotal leadership role within our sizeable corporate and commercial team. She is as equally devoted to her craft as she is to her young family, and it’s a testament to her considerable talents that she has built such a successful career while being an active and engaged mum. We are delighted to recognise her achievements and welcome her to the ranks of principal,” managing director David Kelly said.
Michael Cochrane is an expert in all aspects of workplace relations law. He focuses on employee relations, corporate employment, M&A/transactional employment matters and dispute resolution.
His clients include SMEs and global corporations from industries such as IT services, consulting/recruitment, professional services, insurance and financial services, transport and logistics, retail and supply, building and construction, resources, manufacturing and education. He has also appeared before the Fair Work Commission, VCAT and state and federal courts.
“Michael came to us as a corporate/employment lawyer, and in his time with us has transitioned to a full time employment law expert, building his practice around being the key interface between the workplace and commercial teams as someone who speaks both languages so well. Michael’s promotion recognises his drive and hard work towards his goals and differentiating himself so effectively as an emerging leader,” Kelly said.
KHQ Lawyers also elevated Amelia Edwards from the corporate and commercial practice to special counsel. She has been with the firm since 2014, and specialises in entertainment law, marketing and advertising law, regulatory compliance, IP and brand protection, consumer law and commercial contracting.
Sectors she has worked in include broadcasting, publishing, marketing and advertising, design, technology, data and food and beverage.
“Amelia joined us as a graduate, and following rotations, settled in our commercial team. She has steadily built the firm’s focus on and reputation in the commercial space, and particularly the food and beverage arena. Her promotion is a recognition of her drive and persistence, and of how much she has achieved in a relatively short period of time,” Kelly said.
The promotions took effect on 1 July.
Kelly said that the firm “continues to go from strength to strength thanks to our people’s dedication to excellence, and despite the difficult and unusual circumstances we are all experiencing.”
“Our teams are working closely with our clients, understanding their unique challenges and delivering outcomes to meet their needs,” he said.
Michael Cochrane
Amelia Edwards
