The firm announced today that a total of 17 lawyers had been promoted to its global partnership, effective from 1 May 2018. Critically, 80 percent of these new promotions globally have been awarded to women including a whopping eight new female partners in Australia.
Andrew Pike, Regional Managing Partner Australia, said: “I am thrilled to welcome these eight Australian lawyers to the firm’s global partnership. They are all exceptional; great with clients and passionate about the work they do. They have long been identified as future leaders of the firm.
“I want to congratulate each of them on achieving this impressive career milestone; and I look forward to the fresh perspectives that they will contribute to our firm’s culture and strategy.”
Mark Rigotti, HSF’s CEO, echoed Pike’s sentiment.
“These excellent lawyers are selected as future leaders of our firm based on rigorous criteria,” he said. “The quality of this year’s new partners reflects our firm’s long-term commitment to investing in lawyers of the highest calibre across the network.
“It is particularly pleasing to see the diversity of this talented cohort, which is pivotal to our firm’s strategy.”
When the new promotions come into effect on May 1st, women will represent 27 percent of Australian office partners. While this number is still a long way off equity, quick progress is being made and should be commended.
The new partners are based across all of HSF’s Australian offices and drawn from every practice group within the firm. They are:
Sarah Benbow, Competition, Regulation & Trade, Melbourne
Malika Chandrasegaran, Corporate, Sydney
Anna Creegan, Employment, Industrial Relations & Safety, Perth
Alison Dodd, Projects, Melbourne
Sian Newnham, Corporate, Brisbane
Merryn Quayle, Dispute Resolution, Sydney
Clare Smethurst, Dispute Resolution, Brisbane
Nikki Smythe, Finance, Sydney
