Annette Hughes will add to the firm's dispute resolution and risk advisory capability, the firm said.

In her previous role at Allens she led the product liability team and co-led the corporate responsibility group.

Hughes is a past president and current member of the Executive Committee of the National Product Liability Association.

The new hire was previously a partner in the Litigation and Product Liability Group of Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold in San Francisco and remains a member of the California Bar Association.

She has extensive experience in product liability, corporate responsibility, regulatory and commercial litigation, the firm said.

Her experience includes the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games litigation and appeal; Plantronics’ Polaris litigation; Burger King franchise litigation; Amcor and CFMEU litigation (redundancy under certified agreement unanimous High Court victory); BHPB tax dispute (regarding PRRT); Rio Tinto ATCA litigation (Bougainville Copper); Coles’ Franklins store acquisition litigation; Rio Tinto/Coal & Allied Macquarie Generation case; and ArvinMeritor Coroner’s Court proceedings.

Highes has advised on regulatory and internal investigations, including corruption and bribery, SOX, import/export, and ACCC, and on various difficult product issues and recalls for clients such as Sanbrook Brands, Kraft, Simplot, Millipore, Cooper Bussman, Billabong, Decor, Plantronics, DuluxGroup and GSKA.

Corrs partner and CEO John Denton said dispute resolution is a growth area for the firm and Hughes' arrival is evidence of Corrs’ investment in building world class capability in this area.