Additions to firm's disputes and restructuring groups join from Ashurst, Squire Patton Boggs
Bird & Bird, an international law firm, has announced the appointments of disputes partner Bill Smith and restructuring partner Masi Zaki in its Sydney office, effective 10 October and 1 October, respectively.
Smith previously worked at Ashurst. On the other hand, Zaki joined from Squire Patton Boggs along with senior associate Kate Spratt.
“I’m very pleased to welcome two exceptional practitioners to our disputes and finance teams, at a time of strategic growth in the firm’s Sydney office,” said Shane Barber, Australian head of Bird & Bird, in the news release.
The firm, in its news release, shared that its Sydney office is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
“We continue to expand our client offering across a range of practices and sectors in Australia, driven by significant demand,” Barber said in the firm’s news release.
The firm noted in its news release that, over the past two years, it has expanded its Sydney team by promoting two partners in its IP practice and by appointing three new partners in its corporate M&A, finance and financial regulation, and sports groups.
“Bill brings with him valuable international disputes expertise, which will be a cornerstone in supporting clients both in Australia and the Middle East,” Barber said in the firm’s news release.
Smith, a disputes practitioner, advises and represents businesses dealing with complex disputes, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He also has experience in the cybercrime space, including by assisting clients with commercial and regulatory issues arising from cyber attacks in Australia.
“The firm’s commitment to strategically growing and investing in its disputes practice, particularly in the key sectors and markets that align with my experience, makes this a very exciting time to join,” Smith said in the firm’s news release.
Smith practised abroad, including in the UAE, for over half of his career. At Bird & Bird, Smith will work closely with the team on the ground in the UAE and will support the firm’s Middle Eastern clients in resolving their cross-border disputes.
“I very much look forward to working closely with colleagues in the Middle East, as well as the impressive group of experts the firm has assembled across its international network, to help clients achieve their best outcomes when faced with the commercial uncertainty that disputes invariably attract,” Smith said in the firm’s news release.
Zaki, on the other hand, will lead the growth and development of Bird & Bird’s new restructuring practice in Sydney.
“Masi will be a key player in developing our restructuring practice with support from Kate,” Barber said in the firm’s news release. “Together, their arrival is a key part of our strategic growth ambitions as the office celebrates its decade milestone.”
Zaki, a restructuring practitioner, has dealt with clients in the financial services, energy, and retail sectors. He has advised on domestic and cross-border distressed, contentious, and non-distressed transactions, restructures, and disputes.
“Bird & Bird’s commitment to fostering a collaborative culture at the heart of its business, as well as its sector-focused approach and ambitious growth strategy, create a rich environment for developing a top-tier restructuring practice,” Zaki said in the firm’s news release.
Zaki’s practice has also covered established and emerging markets across the Asia–Pacific region, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Delhi.
“I look forward to working closely with the firm’s international network of leading lawyers, continuing to support our clients with innovative solutions,” Zaki said in the firm’s news release.
