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In-house experience a bonus in private practice
Slipping between in-house and law firm practice roles would appear to be increasingly easy if Antra Hood's experience is anything to go by.
The New Lawyer
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SLIPPING between in-house and law firm practice roles would appear to be increasingly easy if Antra Hood's experience is anything to go by.
Minter Ellison has claimed the former general counsel and company secretary in its Brisbane office.
Hood, former general counsel and company secretary of Springfield Land Corporation, has joined Minter Ellison's national property practice as a special counsel.
Hood is a senior lawyer with more than 18 years' experience as a corporate counsel and in private practice. She is a former partner of Mallesons Stephen Jaques and also general counsel of South Bank Corporation.
Commenting on the significance of Hood's appointment, Cameron Charlton, head of Minter Ellison's national property practice said that lawyers of her calibre are rare.
"[Hood] is an outstanding lawyer and a strategic and clear thinker with an ability to grasp big picture issues," he said.
"As general counsel at Springfield Land Corporation she was a fierce protector of the business, focused on extracting value for the company, and a sophisticated manager of external legal providers."
Hood's experience on both sides of the fence makes her all the more employable, the firm said.
"She understands the benefits of a true partnering approach between lawyer and client. That is ultimately what sets a good lawyer apart from a really great lawyer.
"And as Minter Ellison nationally is involved in a number of high profile developments and urban renewal projects ... [Hood's] insights into the challenges of master planned communities from the client's viewpoint will be invaluable."
Queensland-based Springfield Land Corporation (SLC) is developing a new city – the A$2.2 billion Greater Springfield master planned community – outside Brisbane. It comprises suburbs that will eventually house some 105,000 residents, a CBD, recreational and lifestyle facilities and precincts for education, heath, industry and information technology.
As General Counsel of SLC, Hood managed the interface between SLC's executive/management team, development managers, joint venture partners such as Mirvac, Delfin and Suncorp, an in-house legal department and SLC's external lawyers.
