Arnold is one of the firm's leading M&A and equity capital markets partners. She becomes the third female board member; joining Blakes chairman Mary Padbury and partner Sarah Dulhunty on the seven-member board. Dulhunty was recently appointed to the Takeovers Panel, the primary body for resolving takeover disputes in Australia.

Arnold'a appointment follows the recent announcement of Blake Dawson's support for the work of Australian Human Rights Commission's (AHRC) Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick - a Blake Dawson alumnus.

The firm has provided a full-time lawyer to the AHRC for six months to work on various women's leadership programs, including its male CEO advisory group which draws together corporate leaders from across business.

"The firm employs a large number of law graduates each year - the majority of whom are female - and has done so for many years. We recognise the role that we play in training and developing these women to take senior management and leadership positions in our firm and across corporate Australia," said deputy managing partner, Helen McKenzie.