Allens appoints 8 new partners
Global firm Allens appointed eight new partners to represent key areas of the firm’s specialist areas, including finance and disputes.
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Managing partner Richard Spurio welcomed the eight new partners, who join Melissa Kane, a partner appointed to the firm in January of this year.
Partners include M&A specialists Charles Ashton and Michelle Bennett. According to Allens, Mr Ashton worked with alliance partner Linklaters in London and has a “focus on complex domestic and cross-border transactions” with “experience in public M&A and competitive sales processes”.
Ms Bennett’s practice “covers both public and private M&A and she has international experience on cross-border deals”, having also spent time at London’s Linklaters.
Also from Linklaters London is Chris Kerrigan, “an investigations, risk and compliance specialist” with a “deep experience” in corporate crimes. James Kanabar spent five years at the same firm. Allens said he has strong client contacts in the alternative asset space, “advising both fund sponsors and institutional investors”.
According to Allens, Jamie McKenzie is a class actions and compliance specialist, Rita Pang is a banking and finance specialist, and Nikki O’Leary spent time in Allens’ Port Moresby, Brisbane and Melbourne office specialising in project disputes.
Lastly, Annabelle Aland “has experience working in several other sectors”, including tourism and hospitality, and has a focus on “major transactional work, property development general property work”.
The partners were joined by Perth appointment Richard Lilly, who joined the disputes and investigations practice on 1 July. Mr Lilly’s “focus is on commercial litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in mining, oil and gas and energy sectors”.
Commenting on the appointment, head of the Perth practice Gerard Woods said: “Our WA disputes practice has experienced significant growth in recent years and it has been a priority for us to add an additional partner.
“He will make a significant contribution to our practice in Perth and assist in the development of the next generation of leaders in our Perth disputes practice.”
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Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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