The Australian recruitment market may not have swelled to prior GFC levels in 2010, but a limited number of significant game-changing movements have certainly made waves across the legal profession.

Such movements included one of the biggest shake-ups the Australian legal industry has seen.

The surprise arrival of Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy resulted in a mass exodus from the Clayton Utz partnership and caused nervousness amongst the industry as partners and associates considered jumping ship for more lucrative and international career opportunities.

On top of the arrival of an international player, the last 12 months saw an uptick in the war for talent - at least compared to the downturn levels of 2009 - with a number of mid-tiers snapping up teams from their mid-tier and top-tier competitors, firms recruiting and expanding existing groups, some of the industry's veterans grabbing their chance to launch new firms, new managing partners taking the reins and top-tier lawyers retreating to the mid-tier ranks.

Without a doubt, 2010 was a game-changing year for the Australian legal profession.. we look at the movers and shakers at the forefront of the changes.

Click on the images below to read why these legal minds made the 2010 Movers & Shakers list:

>> Click here for full coverage of the 2010 Movers & Shakers list