Michael Wood has been appointed director in the corporate and commercial group, while Kathleen Conroy, Jonathan Usher, Gary Koh and Philippa Ahern were appointed as senior associates.

Wood has experience in advising on all aspects of intellectual property, including the protection and enforcement of copyright, designs, patents, confidential information and trade secrets. He handles extensive Australian and international trade mark portfolios on behalf of numerous clients. He is also experienced in commercial and property dispute resolution.

Kathleen Conroy, also in the corporate and commercial group, has experience in commercial law, including advising on company structures, capital raisings, shareholders agreements, partnership disputes, business acquisitions and sales and commercial leasing. She has also advised on information technology law issues associated with the conduct of commercial transactions electronically.

Usher and Koh both work in the property groups. Usher has experience in major projects, including advising clients on development and construction documentation and other related transaction documents for major infrastructure projects, property developments and structured financing arrangements.

Koh has expertise in property development, commercial leasing and the sale and purchase of retail shopping centres and commercial offices.

Ahern has acted in a range of complex litigation involving large commercial disputes. In the area of insolvency litigation, this has included various proceedings in relation to the winding up of unregistered managed investment schemes, voidable transactions and general commercial disputes stemming from insolvency.