Ms Westcott provides contracting, procurement and probity advice to Commonwealth and state government clients in the fields of construction, professional services procurement, large-scale outsourcing projects and competitive funding initiatives.

Russell Kennedy opened its Canberra office early last year.

Late last year, Sparkes lost three insurance partners who left the firm to launch Clyde & Co’s fourth Australian office in Brisbane.

Sparkes has also poached partners in recent months, including insurance lawyer Helen Stavridis from DW Fox Tucker and former Piper Alderman IP partner Richard Chew.