Gray & Perkins has appointed Paul Cooper as a partner. He will continue to advise and represent his clients as part of the firm’s insolvency team.

Freehills litigation partner Bronwyn Lincoln has been appointed to the International Legal Services Advisory Council by federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.

Lynch Meyer litigation partner James Neate has been appointed president of the SA Division of the Australian Institute of Credit Management.

Deacons has appointed Chris Jones as a partner. He was recently General Counsel — Human Relations at Telstra and will be joining the firm in late August. Andrew Tobin, previously with Gadens Lawyers, has started as special counsel in Brisbane.

Jones Day has appointed Robert Hinkley to its Sydney office. He joined the firm’s US securities law practice earlier this month. In 1989 Hinkley co-founded the Sydney office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

DMAW Lawyers has promoted two senior associates and three new lawyers. New senior associate Alannah Pearce works in the business transactions and financial services sections. Vanessa Perry has been promoted to senior associate in the commercial disputes area. Daniel Jenkinson commenced with the firm on 15 June and Richard Fisher started last month after a number of years in the UK. Erica Wong also began work at the firm last month. She has previously worked at the National Australia Bank and ASIC.

Minter Ellison has appointed senior projects lawyer Elisabeth Ellis to partner. She has been based in Hong Kong since 1999. Minter Ellison in Perth has appointed a new special counsel in its corporate & commercial group. Duncan Maclean has experience in corporate and commercial, new ventures, resources, e-commerce and information technology matters.

Bartier Perry Solicitors has appointed John Gazecki as a solicitor in its commercial litigation practice. The firm has also appointed Sharon Yassa as senior associate and Christine Bellemore as an associate.