World’s largest law firm grows in Australia, scores new partner from rival

Dentons now has 45 partners in Australia with the appointment of two new partners – one from another global giant.

Ian Dardis, Dentons’ Australia CEO, announced the appointments of Mandi Jacobson and Sally Weatherstone to the Dentons partnership in Australia. The appointments also mark a milestone for the world’s largest law firm by lawyer count, as a third of all of the firm’s partners in the country are now women.

Jacobson joins Dentons’ dispute resolution team from Baker McKenzie, where she was senior associate. She was also previously a senior associate at King & Wood Mallesons and a lawyer at Clayton Utz.

She has broad experience in life sciences, including large pharma and medical device companies, and has acted for clients in the domestic and international markets. She said she was particularly attracted to joining one of the youngest, largest, and fastest-growing legal brands in the world.

Weatherstone has been with the firm for a decade and will become partner in the corporate team. The energy and resources expert said she is proud to be part of a firm that continues to promote women to the partnership.

Dentons has also promoted four new directors and seven new senior associates in Australia. The promotions come into effect on 1 July.

The new directors and senior associates are:

Directors

• Iris Dielmann (Banking and finance – Sydney)
• Natasha Murgatroyd (Real estate – Perth)
• Fintan O’Connor (Restructuring, insolvency, and bankruptcy – Sydney)
• Stephen Schoninger (Employment and labour – Sydney)

Senior Associates

• Jack Bai (Banking and finance – Sydney)
• Nicole Fraser (Restructuring, insolvency, and bankruptcy – Perth)
• Wavie Kendino (Corporate – PNG)
• Aimee McIntyre (Construction – Sydney)
• Cara Walkam (Financial products and services – Sydney)
• Rachel Walker (Financial products and services – Sydney)
• Vanessa Walsh (Planning, environment, and government – Sydney)

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