K&L Gates nabs HWL Ebsworth team

Naomi Philp and her fellow lawyers will bolster the firm's corporate practice

K&L Gates nabs HWL Ebsworth team

K&L Gates has nabbed a team from HWL Ebsworth led by new partner Naomi Philp.

Philp comes in with fellow lawyers Ariane Demetriou, Emily Hood and Dhivya Kalyanakumar, as well as graduate Alex Lalor. K&L Gates corporate practice area leader Chris Nikou described the hire as “is a significant addition of experience and depth that will continue to allow us to provide a high level of client service in key areas of importance.”

Philp has guided clients on regulated takeover bids and schemes and private business acquisitions and divestments. She has assisted with compliance in relation to ASX listing rules, securities and trust laws, and fund structuring and establishment.

She has provided advice on both public and private M&A transactions, ECM deals, investment funds, placements, entitlement issues, share purchase plans and IPOs, among others.

The appointment of Philp and her team follows K&L Gates’ attraction of three partners from HWL Ebsworth last month.

Earlier this month, K&L Gates also elevated the following to the partnership as of 1 January:

Damiano Castelli (Brisbane) – real estate
Alanna Fitzpatrick (Brisbane) – labour, employment and workplace safety
Simon Leslie (Sydney) – corporate
Marian Ngo (Melbourne) – corporate
Gregory Pieris (Melbourne) – IP

“The addition of nine new partners across the firm over the past few weeks is a significant step towards our goal of growing K&L Gates in the Australian market, with a seamless link into the firm's global platform that spans five continents,” Australia managing partner Nick Nichola said. “Our latest appointments are in areas of high client demand, and we will continue to seek opportunities to deepen our Australian offering to clients.”