Tony Coburn has returned to Freehills as a partner, working in the firm’s telecommunications, media and technology practice in the Sydney office. In April 2000 Coburn left Freehills to work in the US for a technology start-up venture in Silicon Valley, which was a supplier of trading system software in the financial services sector.

Gilshenan & Luton Lawyers has promoted Cecily Tucker to partner. The firm said she has extensive experience in advising and representing employers and employees on their respective industrial rights. Tucker also advocates for equal opportunities for women and is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland and the Equal Opportunity Practitioners Association.

Melbourne and Sydney-based law firm Maddocks has appointed two leading employment and industrial relations law specialists to its workplace services group. Bruce Moore has joined Maddocks as a special counsel after 20 years as a partner at Mallesons Stephen Jaques. Sally Hewitson has also been appointed as a special counsel. She has advised clients on recruitment, management of performance issues, terminations and post-termination restrictions and confidentiality issues. Immigration partner Maria Jockel has been appointed to the workplace services group.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal’s planning and environment group has appointed Andrew Woodward to its Sydney office. He is an architect with more than 15 years of experience in the building development and construction industry. Woodward was previously a director of heritage consultants Perumal Murphy Wu Pty Ltd.