The head of Minter Ellison's dispute resolution division, Ross Freeman, said the firm was delighted to welcome Mr Stewart to the practice in Perth.

“[Mr Stewart’s] broad sector experience and expertise across resources and infrastructure is particularly valuable at this time in Western Australia, with significant structural change in the local economy driven by the end of the mining boom,” Mr Freeman said.

“His international disputes work also provides an exciting growth opportunity for the team in Perth, given that market's proximity to Asia's arbitration centres.”

Before working at Lavan Legal, Mr Stewart was the founder and principal of a boutique disputes firm, Maxim Litigation Consultants.

In February, Minter Ellison appointed former DLA Piper partner Will Harrison to head up its insurance and corporate risk practice in Western Australia and Asia.

That same month, three special counsel moved from Minter Ellison to Mills Oakley’s new Perth office.