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Global’s canned Canberra office bolsters local firm
The aftermath of a global law firm shutting the doors of its Canberra office has seen 13 of its former staff acquired by an Australian competitor.
Emma Musgrave
Three former partners, together with 10 lawyers and support staff, from DLA Piper have joined Maddocks’ Canberra office this week in what’s being described as a “significant shake up of the legal market in Australia’s capital”.
Partners Anthony Willis, Caroline Atkins and Gavan Mackenzie began their new roles at Maddocks yesterday, as did the remaining 10 lawyers and support staff that jumped ship to the firm following the DLA Piper closure.
The other lawyers to join Maddocks are special counsels Katherine Armytage and Russell Wilson, senior associates Janet Courtis and Jasen Hartman-Higuchi, lawyer Belinda Chapman and graduate Varsha Srinivasan.
Speaking about the new additions, Maddocks Canberra partner-in-charge Simonetta Astolfi said the move made sense. She noted the new-comers will be a significant coup for the firm’s Commonwealth government clients.
“The decision to bring in DLA Piper’s Canberra team was based purely on one factor: what is best for our clients,” Ms Simonetta said.
“Seen through the lens of what we can now offer Commonwealth government clients, this is a game changer for the Canberra legal market.
“Maddocks has already established a strong reputation since we opened in Canberra five years ago for the work we do in the areas of procurement, probity, disputes and administration law. The addition of Anthony, Caroline and Gavan and their team augments our offering with market-leading experience in whole-of-government ICT procurement and contracting, intellectual property and general commercial law.”
Maddocks chair Mark Henry echoed this sentiment, saying that the firm is “firmly committed to the long-term, strategic growth of the Commonwealth government practice and the Canberra office”.
“Government across all levels is core business for Maddocks,” Mr Henry said.
“We made it clear when we opened in Canberra in 2012 that we were here for the long haul. The arrival of Anthony, Caroline, Gavan and their team is further evidence of that commitment.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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