Goodbye job applications, hello dream career
Seize control of your career and design the future you deserve with LW career

Maddocks appoints 2 special counsel for banking and finance practice

National law firm Maddocks has appointed two special counsel from BigLaw rivals, in a move the firm says will help meet the “growing demand” in banking and finance.

user iconJerome Doraisamy 31 January 2024 Big Law
expand image

Maddocks has appointed Paula Nassif and Colin Baker as its newest special counsel, who will be based in the firm’s Sydney and Melbourne offices, respectively.

Ms Nassif comes across from global firm King & Wood Mallesons, having had a “long career acting for a sophisticated client portfolio”, Maddocks said in a statement, including many financial institutions and corporate groups on a wide range of banking and finance matters.

She has also won the Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year award for four consecutive years since 2020 at the Women in Finance Awards, hosted by Lawyers Weekly’s parent company, Momentum Media.

Mr Baker joins from the London office of US firm Reed Smith, bringing his “extensive experience” in advising borrowers, funds, lenders, and banks on the structuring of debt financings, the firm went on, and a practice that covers all areas of funds finance, where he regularly acts on transactions involving domestic and international fund structures.

The news follows the firm’s revamping of its operational division in December, its addition of a Victorian state government solicitor as a new partner in August, and its promotion of 47 lawyers to more senior roles in June.

Speaking about the appointments, Maddocks co-head of banking and finance Ilan Kraus said: “Our banking and finance practice nationally has experienced tremendous growth over the past 12 months, and we expect this strong demand to continue for the foreseeable future.

“We’re delighted to welcome Paula and Colin to the team.

“They are both very senior practitioners and come with deep global and local finance experience, which will complement our existing experience and provide invaluable support to our existing and new clients.”

Jerome Doraisamy

Jerome Doraisamy

Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly and HR Leader. He has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. In June 2024, he also assumed the editorship of HR Leader. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.

You can email Jerome at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

You need to be a member to post comments. Become a member for free today!