The firm’s managing partner, Guy Humble, said talent and ability are qualities that can shine through at any age.

“‘We have always recognised and rewarded talent, commitment and determination and we understand that this does not go hand-in-hand with someone’s age,” said Humble.

“Both Oliver Talbot, 30, who will be driving our corporate practice in Sydney, and Isaac West, 29, who specialises in mergers and acquisitions and capital raisings, came to the firm as graduates.

“This takes our graduate-to-partner count to 15 out of 50 partners.  Our focus is very much on careers at McCullough Robertson, not just jobs.”

Over a third of the promotions, which took effect yesterday (July 1), were made within the firm’s new Sydney and Newcastle offices.

Talbot said his relocation to the Sydney office was an indication of the firm’s continued expansion and commitment to NSW.

“I believe there are great opportunities for a proudly independent team in the Sydney marketplace.

“There are few firms that provide the opportunity to grow and develop alongside them.  There are even fewer that provide the same opportunities to advance your career so quickly,” said Talbot.

In a recent survey by the Australian Financial Review, there were only five new partners from the 199 appointed since January across the 38 surveyed firms who were 30 or younger, and McCullough Robertson has appointed two of those.

According to West, being promoted on merit rather than age is part of the culture of McCullough Robertson.

“Since my entry to the firm as a graduate, I’ve been given the opportunity to work directly with clients and corporate leaders and real opportunities to prove myself.  I’ve never felt like an anonymous cog in a big wheel,” he said.

Further senior appointments at McCullough Robertson are: Partner – Tim Sayer (Private Equity) Partner – Peter Stokes (Dispute Resolution); Special Counsel - Tim Case (Dispute Resolution), Senior Associates – Kate Addinall (Resources – Regulatory Approvals, Newcastle); Visnja Cavanagh (Dispute Resolution); Danielle Le Breton (Resources - Regulatory Approvals, Sydney); Tara Lucke (Business Structuring), Laura Rodger (Projects and Infrastructure, Newcastle) and Ben Yeoh (Projects and Infrastructure).