This is the second time in a month a Clayton Utz lawyer has taken a spot in the Middletons ranks. Kate Marshall joined the firm two weeks ago.

Middletons' national managing partner, Nick Nichola, said of Petranis’ appointment: “The firm has grown substantially and [Petranis’} appointment is a response to the increasing demand for legal services in the life sciences sector, particularly in the health, aged-care and pharmaceutical industries."

Middletons’ head of the corporate and commercial Group, Chris Nikou, said: "As well as having previously worked as a health care professional, [Petranis’] legal experience has been gained working with some of the best known companies in the health, aged-care and pharmaceutical space."

Petranis won the Harry Emerton Law Scholarship and the RJ Hamer Prize, and has been published in the Australasian Biotechnology and Australian Health & Medical Law journals and most recently presented at the Aged Care Association Annual Congress.

Pressed as to why he joins the Middletons partnership, Petranis said: "Middletons services a broad range of clients within the life sciences/health and aged care industry ... I was attracted by the quality of work Middletons has done both in Australia and globally."

Kate Marshall, also from Clayton Utz, joined the firm’s technology and innovations group as partner, a move she said gives her the chance to service great clients.

“It is obvious why the firm is so successful and I wanted to be part of it,” she said.

Previously at Clayton Utz, Marshall has experience in a range of Australian and international transactions relating to technology and intellectual property issues.