Law firm Lander & Rogers has elevated 35 lawyers in its latest promotions round.
- Modern lawyers more than legal experts amid increasing business complexity
The firm announced the promotion of nine new partners and 26 lawyers comprising 12 special counsel and 14 senior associates across its practices including commercial disputes, compensation law, corporate, insurance law and litigation, family and relationship law, real estate and projects, workplace relations and safety, and pro bono, community and environment.
Effective 1 July, the latest promotions will bring the gender balance of the firm's partnership to 48% female - among the highest of any Australian law firm.
The promotions, said chief executive partner Genevieve Collins, are reflective of the firm's stable growth and continued investment in its people. "We continue to scale to meet client demand across a range of commercial legal specialisations including insurance, compensation, real estate, workplace relations and safety, and both mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as in our national family law practice," confirmed Ms Collins.
Elevated to partner were legal experts Nicola Mooney from the firm's compensation law practice; David Tink in corporate; Claire Walczak in family and relationship law; Charlotte Adol, Judy Truong and Mylinh L'Estrange in insurance law and litigation; James Hill and Rohan Dias in real estate and projects; and Cameron Hannebery in workplace relations and safety.
The newest partners, said Ms Collins, reflect the evolution of legal leaders. "The role of lawyers is changing alongside the growing complexity of commercial, regulatory and compliance imperatives facing organisations and individuals. Today's practitioners must have greater breadth and depth of expertise than ever before, and keep pace with developments in innovative legal and business practice, such as in privacy, cyber security risk and legal process automation and artificial intelligence."
In line with the firm's continued focus on innovation, Ms Collins said many of the new partners have been integral to transformation projects or new product development for clients, in collaboration with the firm's client innovation hub and technology team. "Examples include digitisation of client onboarding, real-time access and reporting, contract automation and automated due diligence, with our new partners driving delivery efficiencies and reducing risk exposure for our clients," remarked Ms Collins.
Acknowledging the increased demands on modern lawyers, the firm's dedicated leadership development program helps prepare new partners for their expanding responsibilities. "From leadership and coaching to financial hygiene, business planning and business development, the program is designed to support our future partners to lead with greater skills, clarity and confidence," said Ms Collins.
The chief executive partner also noted the firm's commitment to support additional tertiary development, with some of the new partners choosing to undertake an MBA or courses offered by the AICD. This investment, said Ms Collins, "is multiplied as the emerging leaders coach and mentor our junior lawyers, in an environment where it is critical to transfer knowledge and experience, promote development and reinforce connection to support our unique culture".
On behalf of the firm, Ms Collins noted, "we're pleased to recognise and reward the efforts of our lawyers and other professional staff, and thank them for their continued role in delivering the very best law firm experience for our clients, people and communities".
The announcement follows Lander & Rogers' appointment of insolvency and disputes partner Jonathon Turner in April 2023.
Lander & Rogers' 2023 promotions
Partner
Nicola Mooney, Compensation Law
David Tink, Corporate
Claire Walczak, Family & Relationship Law
Charlotte Adol, Insurance Law & Litigation
Mylinh L'Estrange, Insurance Law & Litigation
Judy Truong, Insurance Law & Litigation
Rohan Dias, Real Estate & Projects
James Hill, Real Estate & Projects
Cameron Hannebery, Workplace Relations & Safety
Special counsel
Nicola McGrady, Commercial Disputes
Adele Moloney, Compensation Law
Simon Merritt, Corporate
Catherine Hillis, Family & Relationship Law
Courtney Sims, Family & Relationship Law
Elizabeth Nash, Insurance Law & Litigation
Vince Ripepi, Insurance Law & Litigation
Vanessa Turner, Insurance Law & Litigation
Morgan Waters, Insurance Law & Litigation
David Burke, Pro Bono, Community & Environment
Elise Sugar, Real Estate & Projects
Lynden Albiston, Workplace Relations & Safety
Senior associate
Belinda Mercieca, Commercial Disputes
James Cameron, Compensation Law
Apryl Geale, Compensation Law
Kimberley Graham, Compensation Law
Matthew Doyle, Family & Relationship Law
Elly Blizzard, Insurance Law & Litigation
Stephanie Elia, Insurance Law & Litigation
Brighid Ervin, Insurance Law & Litigation
Laura Jean, Insurance Law & Litigation
Jenny Kalogiannis, Insurance Law & Litigation
Julia Nettle, Insurance Law & Litigation
Claire Rankin, Insurance Law & Litigation
Emily Russell, Insurance Law & Litigation
Anastasia Stathis, Insurance Law & Litigation
