A partner set to join the firm later this month comes from KWM
Clifford Chance has given its team in Australia a significant boost with the announcement of three key appointments.
The firm added to its corporate team by bringing in Tennie Tam from international firm Sidley Austin LLP as counsel. Tam is a veteran of corporate law, particularly private equity and financial investor M&A.
She has a wealth of experience gained from a stint in New York in addition to her time in Australia, and has advised on a wide range of corporate transactions. She has guided clients in matters involving the acquisitions and divestments of public and private businesses across various sectors, co-investment and secondary transactions.
“Our corporate practice is experiencing strong growth, particularly in advising financial investors, and Tennie's strong skillset and experience advising these types of clients across the full gamut of corporate transactions makes her a fantastic addition to our Australian practice,” said Richard Gordon, Clifford Chance’s managing partner in Australia. “Tennie's vast network and experience will mean she will be readily able to assist and provide senior support across our network of offices in the Asia Pacific.”
Meanwhile, Julia Dreosti returns to Clifford Chance Sydney as counsel following a tenure with Lipman Karas. She focuses on commercial litigation and arbitration, and represents Australia in the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR.
She has a master’s degree in French law and European community law. Her experience, which spans more than 15 years, extends across a wide range of contentious matters. Moreover, she has worked in the energy, defence, infrastructure, construction, government and corporates sectors.
“Our litigation and dispute resolution practice has undergone a period of tremendous growth with our teams across Sydney and Perth assisting clients on some of the highest profile commercial litigation, regulatory investigations and arbitration matters in the market,” Gordon said. “Julia returns to our firm, having previously worked with us in Sydney and Singapore, and brings a wealth of experience leading high-stakes contentious matters both within Australia and in the broader Asia Pacific region. She will make an excellent addition to our senior bench.”
In January, Clifford Chance also announced its hire of former King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) partner Elizabeth Hundt Russell, who is set to start with the firm later this month.
“Liz is a standout finance expert and her experience advising on complex and wide-ranging leveraged finance transactions will bring great value and insight to our clients and the firm,” Gordon said. “She brings an impressive record of private equity funds, sponsors and corporations as well as local, regional and global financial institutions on a range of complex matters. She will be boosting one of the market-leading leveraged financing teams in the APAC region. We are thrilled to have her join us.”
Hundt Russell will work closely with Gordon and fellow partners Mark Gillgren and Chad Bochan in bolstering the firm’s leveraged finance offering in Australia and worldwide.
“Liz's strong relationships and knowledge of the local market will be invaluable as we continue to grow our offering for financial investors. Her stellar record of working with domestic and international sponsors on critical and complex matters will be key as we focus on advising the world's foremost financial investors,” said Andrew Crook, APAC corporate co-head. “Our corporate practice is extremely excited about the opportunity to work alongside such a high calibre finance expert who brings wide-ranging experience and complementary skills to the firm.”
