Middletons commercial group head, Chris Nikou, said in a statement: "Paris is an extraordinary talent with specialist knowledge that reflects Middletons' desire to understand our clients' businesses and industries in which they operate. As well as having worked as a health care professional, Paris' legal experience has been gained working with some of the best known companies in the health, aged care and pharmaceutical space."

Petranis won the Harry Emerton Law Scholarship and the RJ Hamer Prize and has been published in the Australasian Biotechnology and Australian Health and Medical Law journals.

Discussing the appointment, managing partner Nick Nichola said: "[The appointment] is very significant for Middletons as the corporate and commercial group is one of the major drivers of our business. The firm has grown substantially and Paris' appointment is a response to the increasing demand for legal services in the life sciences sector, particularly in the health, aged care and pharmaceutical industries."