Stuart Dullard, Adam Firth, Andrew Rankine, Trent Sebbens and Kenneth Tang have joined the partnership in Sydney, Andrew Gay in Perth and Alyssa Phillips in Brisbane.

Mr Dullard specialises in M&A and equity capital markets. He is experienced in complex corporate transactions including off-market takeover bids, schemes of arrangements, Takeovers Panel proceedings, initial public offers and secondary market capital raisings, according to a statement from Ashurst.

Mr Firth works in dispute resolution and claims management on infrastructure and resources projects. He has particular expertise in PPP projects in the transport and defence sectors.  

Mr Rankine is an intellectual property specialist who focuses on patent advice and litigation in the life sciences sector. His acts for clients in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, as well as advising on Australia’s regulatory frameworks for therapeutic goods.

Mr Sebbens, who practises in employment and industrial relations, has been at Ashurst the longest out of the seven new partners, joining as a graduate in 2003. He is an experienced adviser on workplace change initiatives, employment litigation, safety incidents and investigations by regulators.

Mr Tang works in the Sydney banking and finance practice, and has also worked in Ashurst’s London office. He specialises in acquisition and leveraged finance, corporate finance, restructuring workouts, secondary debt trades and distressed investing. 

Mr Gay specialises in native title and cultural heritage matters arising from major resources, utilities and infrastructure projects. His experience includes tenure strategies, land acquisitions and divestments, development projects and leasing matters.

Ms Phillips (pictured), the only woman among the seven new partners, is a competition lawyer focusing on complex merger clearance cases, regulatory investigations, infrastructure access, consumer law matters, anti-bribery and corruption issues and investigations.

"I am delighted to recognise the achievements of such a talented group of lawyers,” said Ashurst chairman Ben Tidswell.

“They all have an outstanding track record of delivering for our clients, their practices and the firm, and I congratulate them all on their appointment to the partnership.”

The promotions are effective as of 1 May 2017.