Macpherson Kelley adds 2 principals from Sparke Helmore
Following the hiring of a new commercial principal last week, Macpherson Kelley has welcomed another two principals from a BigLaw rival, who will join the firm’s construction, infrastructure, and energy practice.
Suzy Cairney and John Kehoe (both pictured) have joined Macpherson Kelley as principals in the firm’s construction, infrastructure, and energy practice and will be based in its Brisbane and Melbourne offices, respectively.
Cairney and Kehoe are starting at the firm this month.
The news follows its hiring of principal Kim O’Reilly, as reported last week by Lawyers Weekly, as well as its addition of a special counsel in April and the firm’s promotion of six lawyers, including one to principal, in January. It also follows its addition of a special counsel from Maddocks as a new principal in September, its naming of a new chief people officer in mid-August, its promotion of 13 lawyers to more senior roles and hiring of a special counsel in early July, and its addition of a principal and special counsel in mid-April last year.
Managing principal Grant Guenther said: “The depth and quality of experience that Suzy and John bring to our construction, infrastructure, and energy practice is a great addition to the firm and will help us best support our clients.
“The addition of John and Suzy is a significant expansion of our geographical and technical capability in projects, in infrastructure and particularly in energy and renewables.
“These are all very important sectors for our clients and the broader Australian economy over the years to come, and we are excited to strengthen our position in those emerging markets.
“We couldn’t be happier to have them on board.”
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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