As part of a partner promotions round of 31 across the globe, K&L has named restructuring and insolvency practitioner Nicole Ward as its newest Australian partner.

In a statement, the firm said Ms Ward is “well known for her timely, commercial and strategic advice”.

By joining the partnership ranks, she will “substantially add to the depth” of the firm’s Melbourne restructuring and insolvency practice, it continued, “positioning the team to respond to the increasing dynamic client need”.

K&L Gates Australian managing partner Nick Nichola said he was “delighted” to welcome Ms Ward to the partnership.

“In my first conversations with the Australian offices in the national COVID-19 lockdown, I committed to restore, reset and reimagine our firm so that we could emerge stronger and more nimble for the benefit of our people and our clients,” he said.

“Since then, we have seen countless examples of how the K&L Gates’ Australian team embraced the required resilient mindset, adapted to all the challenges the pandemic response threw at them and it is just so pleasing to announce that many of those who led the way have been recognised through the promotions announced today.”

The firm also promoted three to special counsel: Joel Farina (corporate [capital markets]), Katherine Smith (restructuring and insolvency) and Simon Leslie (corporate).

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Elsewhere, there were nine new senior associates named: Allison Wallace (corporate [technology sourcing and privacy]), Bianca D'Angelo (intellectual property), Callum Fleming (corporate), Cameron McCormack (litigation and dispute resolution), Cameron Young (labour, employment and workplace safety), James Thompson (restructuring and insolvency), Jonathan Chan (litigation and dispute resolution), Lauren Wrafter (corporate) and Nicole Guglielmi (energy, infrastructure and resources).

Mr Nichola said: “On behalf of the firm, we are proud to celebrate with you.

“Announcing our senior promotions is always very exciting for me as the quality of the people identified for promotion gives me great comfort that the future of our firm is in safe hands.

“Not only do they each possess the legal skills to deliver our clients the highest quality legal work and the strong service ethic to work innovatively and collaboratively with our clients, but each has also demonstrated the essential leadership skills to develop as potential future leaders of the firm.”