G+T’s Perth managing partner, Michael Blakiston, said the appointment reflects the firm’s desire to develop its energy & resources practice, particularly its oil & gas industry expertise.

“I am delighted that a lawyer of Justin’s calibre and ambition is joining our firm,” said Blakiston.

Little’s appointment coincides with the announcement that patent litigator John Lee will join G+T’s IP practice as a partner in early 2014.

Talent leaving

Justin Little is the latest high-profile defection from the newly-merged firm in Australia.

In December, competition partner Peter McDonald left the firm and joined global rival A&O.

Four employment partners also left HSF in June after being poached by US-based global Seyfarth Shaw, and insurance heavyweights Michael Mills and Michelle Fox gave up their roles as co-heads of HSF’s product liability practice in Sydney to join Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan in May.

Shortly afterwards, in September 2013, Kate Jenkins, the high-profile and well-regarded head of the HSF’s Australian discrimination and equal opportunity practice, left the firm to take up a position as Victoria’s new Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner.

HSF confirmed to Lawyers Weekly last month (12 December) that a new performance-based component for Australian partners in the firm’s remuneration system is an attempt to retain its top performers.