Allens is delighted to announce the appointment of eight new partners: Annabelle Aland, Charles Ashton, Michelle Bennett, James Kanabar, Chris Kerrigan, Jaime McKenzie, Nikki O’Leary and Rita Pang. The new partners join Melissa Keane, who was announced as a partner on 1 January 2019, and new lateral Perth-based partner Richard Lilly, who joins Allens on 1 July 2019.
Richard Spurio, Managing Partner, said the group represents key advisory areas for the firm including Banking and Finance. Disputes and Investigations, M&A and Projects and Development.
‘Clients consistently say they value advisers like this group, who bring exceptional technical knowledge, sector insights and a global mindset. Our new partners have had diverse career journeys bringing different perspectives to their work and many have gained international experience working with our alliance partner, Linklaters.
‘I am also really pleased that 60 per cent of our new partner group is female. With around one-third of our partnership now female, we are tracking very well toward our goal of 35 per cent female partners by 2022.’
Annabelle Aland is a Projects and Development specialist with expertise in the Real Estate sector. Annabelle’s focus is major transactional work, property development and general property work. Annabelle also has experience working in several other sectors including tourism and hospitality, infrastructure and renewables.
Charles Ashton is an M&A specialist with a focus on complex domestic and cross-border transactions. Charles has experience in public M&A and competitive sales processes. Charles has worked with Linklaters in London.
Michelle Bennett is an M&A specialist with a focus on corporate governance, healthcare and renewables. Her practice covers both public and private M&A and she has international experience on cross-border deals having spent a number of years with Linklaters in London.
James Kanabar is a funds specialist with a wealth of experience and strong client contacts in the alternative asset space, advising both fund sponsors and institutional investors across a range of asset classes including private equity, infrastructure, energy and real estate. James spent five years in London with Linklaters.
Chris Kerrigan is an investigations, risk and compliance specialist. He has deep experience particularly in corporate crime and investigations. Chris worked with Linklaters in London and Moscow.
Jaime McKenzie is a class actions; product liability; and investigations, risk and compliance specialist. Jaime worked with Linklaters in London.
Nikki O’Leary is a construction and projects disputes specialist. Nikki has worked in Allens’ Melbourne, Brisbane and Port Moresby offices.
Rita Pang is a banking and finance specialist. She has extensive experience advising lenders, borrowers and sponsors on various types of financing. Rita has a focus on fund financing, asset financing and leveraged acquisition financing.
