Hunt & HuntLawyers has appointed three new partners in Brisbane and one in its Melbourne office. Guy Hampson has extensive experience in public liability, compulsory third party and workers compensation. He conducts matters for major insurers across a variety of jurisdictions. Justine Woods is an accredited family law specialist who practises in all family matters including de facto relationships, divorce and separation, property settlement, child residence and support, and contact disputes. Rocco Russo specialises in commercial dispute resolution, practising across many industries, including property and leasing, building and construction, employment and business disputes. Andrew Hudson has also joined the firm’s Melbourne office as a corporate partner in the customs and international trade law practice.

Gavin Ku has joined Kelly & Co. as an associate after three years with Lynch Meyer. Ku has gained significant experience in major commercial litigations and specialises in contractual and property disputes and claims of professional negligence. He also acts for clients in major commercial matters, including financiers and external administrators.

Lander & Rogers Lawyers of Melbourne and Sydney has promoted Julie Smith, from their insurance law and litigation group, and Lisa Zonta, in the commercial property team, to senior associates in the firm’s Melbourne office. Smith has more than five years experience as a litigator, with a background in commercial, corporations and financial services litigation. She worked in the enforcement directorate of ASIC immediately prior to joining Lander & Rogers. Zonta has spent six years specialising in the commercial property area for clients across Australia. Thomas Wait has also been appointed as a senior associate in the Sydney commercial property group, joining the firm from Baker & McKenzie. He has over 10 years experience advising landowners, developers and tenants on commercial property law.

Dibbs Barker Gosling has added 29 new staff to its Perth office following its merger with local firm McAuliffe Williams & Partners. These include three new partners, Mark McAuliffe, Susann Taylor and Jeremy Ludlow. McAuliffe has more than 23 years’ experience in insurance litigation, dispute resolution and mining law. Taylor has more than 16 years’ experience practising in insurance litigation. Ludlow specialises in insurance, dispute resolution and litigation. Halyna Sobotnik and Craig Hollett were also appointed as a senior associates. Sobotnik practises in insurance litigation and insolvency. Hollett specialises in insurance, dispute resolution and litigation. One senior associate was also appointed in the firm’s Brisbane office and one senior associate and four associates in Sydney.

Brisbane based law firm Bain Gasteen has recently promoted Christine Kennedy to associate, practising in the areas of commercial dispute resolution and insurance litigation. Kennedy’s extensive experience includes defendant insurance claims, contractual disputes, transport and cargo related claims, corporate and partnership disputes, building and construction claims, property and environmental disputes and workplace health and safety matters.