Senior Aussie law firm exec to go
The chief executive of the UK arm of Slater & Gordon has decided to retire from the business. Neil Kinsella joined the firm from legacy Russell Jones & Walker and became Slater’s first UK chief executive. The firm has faced a difficult 12 months with its share prices plummeting following news that the British government intends to make claiming for auto accidents harder, a big part of the personal injury work the firm focuses on in the UK. It announced that there may be two office closures as a result of a review of its business there. Accounting issues and the acquisition of Quindell have also made headlines.
Special counsel promotions for 11 at Corrs
Eleven new special counsel have been appointed at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. The promotions are across all four of the firm’s offices and there are also 22 promotions to senior associate.
The new special counsel are: Eleanor Kwak – Property & Infrastructure, Melbourne; Georgina North – Workplace Relations, Brisbane; James Cameron – Intellectual Property, Technology & Competition, Brisbane; James Shirbin – Corporate Advisory, Sydney; Jennifer Dean – Intellectual Property, Technology & Competition, Sydney; Kirsty Davis – Environment & Planning, Sydney; Leanne Dorricott – Workplace Relations, Brisbane
; Megan Russell – Banking & Finance, Sydney; Rachael King – Litigation, Perth; Rhys Lloyd-Morgan – Property & Infrastructure, Brisbane; and Ruth Hart – Workplace Relations, Melbourne.
Asia-Pac among regions with new Orrick partners
Global law firm Orrick has announced 19 new partners across its international offices. Most are in its US homeland but there are also promotions for Europe and one in Asia-Pac; Minako Wakabayashi, based in Tokyo, is part of the Orrick Energy & Infrastructure Group pioneering the development of the renewables sector in Japan. She represents multinational developers and sponsors in the financing, development and construction of cross-border renewable energy projects.
Law firm eyes international expansion with senior hire
Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co, which is soon to merge with Canadian firm Gowlings, is continuing its stated aim of international expansion with the hire of Dr Andreas Woelfe to lead its corporate practice in Germany. Wragge’s CEO David Fennell commented that the country is an important part of the firm’s expansion plans as it becomes Gowling WLG.
