Previously a partner at Hunt & Hunt, property specialist Lyn Bennett will head up the commercial department in Minters’ Darwin office. With over 25 years’ experience, Bennett specialises in property development, finance and securities, leasing, companies and trusts and the sale and purchase of real estate and of businesses.

Relocating from Melbourne, Matthew Hibbins has joined the firm’s greater-China corporate and commercial practice in Hong Kong. Previously a partner at Gadens, Hibbins’expertise include private equity transactions, joint ventures, capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions and corporations and securities law, working with clients across a broad range of industries.

Project finance specialist Peter Block has joined as a partner in the firm’s Melbourne office. Block has extensive international experience having spent five years practicing in Vietnam, and a further five years working with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London. Block specialises in the development and financing of greenfield projects, the sale of interests in projects and project restructuring, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and energy.

Victoria Mathewson and Christopher Brown have both become partners in the firm’s Sydney corporate team. Mathewson acts regularly on retirement village acquisitions, auction sales, reconstructions and joint ventures, particularly with a property development focus. She also advises on the Corporations Act and ASX Listing Rules requirements and other corporate matters. Her experience includes working for several years with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London.

Brown specialises in mergers & acquisitions, Corporations Act and listing rules advice, joint ventures and commercial contracts. Prior to rejoining the firm in early-2007, he spent 18 months working as in-house counsel with ING Australia, where he developed a particular expertise in financial services.