The new senior appointments have been made to its Melbourne and Sydney offices.

Robert Mercer, formerly of McCullough Robertson, has joined the firm’s Sydney’s insurance and litigation group as a senior associate.

Meanwhile, former Freehills national people and development manager, Catherine Whitehead, has joined the firm's Melbourne office as human resources director.

In a third coup for Lander & Rogers, the firm has hired former Herbert Geer lawyer, Connie Kokkinis as a senior associate in its WorkCover team in Melbourne.

Kokkinis has practised in the workers' compensation field for nine years and advises employers, agents and WorkSafe on many aspects of accident compensation litigation in the supreme, county and magistrates' courts.

Mercer has practised in insurance law and dispute resolution since 2001. He has acted for insurers and insured parties in respect of directors' and officers' liability insurance and professional indemnity claims against a broad range of professionals including accountants, solicitors, financial planners and engineers.

Whitehead, meanwhile, has experience in leading and implementing progressive strategic HR initiatives at a range of organisations, including Citigroup Plc in London, as well as London firms Commerzbank AG, Merrill Lynch and M&G Prudential Plc.

Gillian Coleman, meanwhile, has joined the firm's family and relationship law group in Melbourne as a senior associate.

Coleman has worked in the corporate financial services sector and previously established a boutique family law practice in Queensland.