Peter Keel and Norman Lucas have left Clayton Utz to join Maddocks as commercial disputes partners.

In a statement from Maddocks, Keel, who specialises in financial services dispute resolution, said he is pleased to join a firm where the focus is quickly resolving, not escalating, conflicts.

“The past few years have seen a significant shift in the legal landscape, requiring a new approach to dispute resolution,” Keel said.

“Clients rightly expect their lawyers, particularly partners, to take more of a 'whole-of-business' approach, to deal with them personally and to provide them with value for money.

“This type of approach is inherent to the way Maddocks operates, making it well positioned to respond to these changing demands."

Dispute resolution lawyer Lucas, who also provides advice on reputation management and social media risk management, said the new firm “offers the opportunity to work more collaboratively with clients to cost effectively resolve disputes".

“Clients deserve a high quality service without the big price tag. 

“Maddocks understands this and I'm looking forward to working within a Commercial Disputes team that shares this philosophy," he said.

Maddocks' CEO David Rennick says he is pleased to welcome the pair.

“The experience and skills these leading commercial disputes lawyers bring to the firm and our clients is invaluable.

“Senior lawyers are increasingly looking to find firms where they can take the time to fully understand their clients and their issues.

“This, ultimately, results in greater satisfaction for lawyers and better services for clients.”

The new partners have advised clients including CBA, Sydney Water, Roads & Maritime Services, Lehman Brothers, Brookfield and Dell Computers.