In addition to Mr Hoey, Russell Kennedy has gained Daniel Silfo, Liz Flanagan and Genevieve Philogene, who will be fully on board by the end of January.

Russell Kennedy managing director Paul Gleeson said he was excited about the move, saying the team has a great reputation as “some of Victoria’s leading authorities on the Building Act and building regulations, specialising in providing high level statutory building control advice, mainly to Victorian councils and undertaking prosecutions on behalf of Victorian councils”.

“The addition of the Hoeys Lawyers practice will bring significant value added capability to Russell Kennedy in the areas of local government enforcement and prosecutions, and statutory building control law. The Hoeys team will bolster our own market-leading division in these areas,” Mr Gleeson added.

“We are pleased to welcome John and his team to Russell Kennedy and look forward to the valuable contribution they will make in delivering enhanced services and capabilities to our clients.”

Mr Hoey echoed this sentiment, saying he was equally excited to be joining Russell Kennedy with his team.

Mr Hoey said he was attracted to Russell Kennedy because of the “strength of its local government, environment and planning law practice”. He believes his team will bring additional expertise in the area of statutory building control and prosecutions.

Pictured: Russell Kennedy's Melbourne government, planning and environment team.

Seated (L-R): Russell Kennedy senior associate Marcus Heath, principal Ian Pridgeon, principal Suzanne Manson, consultant John Hoey, principal Andrew Sherman and principal Julie Colsell.

Standing (L-R): Russell Kennedy senior associate Daniel Silfo, lawyer Angelina Bell, principal Stefan Fiedler, senior associate William Bartley, lawyer Elizabeth Flanagan, associate Adam Layt and principal Matthew Beazley.

Missing from the photo: Russell Kennedy principal Andrew van Ingen, special counsel Astrid Di Carlo, special counsel David Brahe and consultant Egils Stokans.