Mr Castley had been a special counsel at Clutz for almost 14 years.

He specialises in commercial acquisitions and disposals, due diligence, leasing, land tax appeals, insolvency and real property-related work outs, property development and corporate advisory. 

Mr Castley joined Clutz in 1998 as a solicitor. He returned to the firm as a special counsel in 2001 after spending just over a year working in London for Berwin Leighton Paisner.

The hire takes partner numbers to 59 across CBP’s Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne offices. 

Last week, Clutz poached two senior corporate lawyers, including partner David Wilkie, from Allen & Overy in Sydney.

However, Clutz has also lost several senior partners in recent months. In November, Lawyers Weekly exclusively revealed that a trio of Clutz partners, including John Elliott, the firm’s national M&A head until July 2014, and David Stammers, a former head of the private equity group, had quit the firm.

Perth-based energy and resources partner Kevin O’Sullivan also resigned.

The departures followed revelations that over a three-month period in mid-2014 Clutz made up to 40 roles redundant across its Sydney and Melbourne offices.