Maurice Blackburn promotes 49, including 5 to principal
National law firm Maurice Blackburn has unveiled its 2025 promotions round, with five lawyers being elevated to principal level.
Maurice Blackburn has named five new principals (three of whom are women), as well as seven new special counsel, nine new senior associates, and 28 new associates.
Women make up 39 of the 49 lawyers promoted, accounting for almost 80 per cent of the promotions round.
The new principals are Gabrielle Feery (medical negligence), Patricia McMullan (road and work injuries), Samuel Taylor (class actions), Timothy McGinley (asbestos) and Trang van Heugten (public liability).
The new special counsel are Aleksandar Calic, Dimi Talevski, Elizabeth Vasta, Jaz Goddard, Jenny Tran, Jessica Dawson-Field, and Katherine McCallum.
The new senior associates are Anita Arian, Ben McIlwain, Heather Kerley, Kara Hill, Kristyn Lennon, Lorraine Walsh, Louis Baigent, Molly Stephens, and Tamara Splatt.
The new associates are Alan Watkins, Aleesha Tanner, Alison Ryan, Anna Sullivan, Azita Arian, Briana Jackman, Corinna Lagerberg, Danielle Christoforou, Devin Rudaizky, Dylan Kay, Elisa Bolzonello, Grace Fredericks, Jane Garnett, Jayana Kerr, Jessica Heron, JoJo Siu, Layla Cachalia, Leanne Kerr, Lemuel Pamiloza, Megan Roller, Michaela Kennedy, Naomi Spigelman, Nolene Moodley, Ruby Magee, Sharni Robinson, Sophie McKenzie, Tanya Cowman, and Vicki Warren.
All promotions were effective as of 1 January and cover the firm’s road and work injuries, public liability, superannuation and insurance, medical negligence, class actions, dust diseases, abuse, and employment and industrial practice areas.
The news follows the firm’s addition of a new principal to lead its Gold Coast practice in October and its opening of an additional office in Queensland in November.
Speaking about the appointments, Maurice Blackburn chief executive Jacob Varghese said: “Every promotion is an individual milestone and due recognition of improving performance, developing technical expertise, and growing team responsibilities.
“Each promotion is also a collective achievement and a marker of our continuing progress as a firm towards an even better employee and client experience.
“These and other promoted employees embody our shared commitment to increasing access to justice for everyday Australians.
“The high number of women in this round of promotions – especially in the most senior roles – reflects our firm’s ongoing commitment to be an employer of choice for gender equality.”
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.
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