Coming from Greenfields Financial Services Lawyers where she was a senior principal, McAlister was general counsel and group executive governance for Australian Unity between 2005 and 2006 and prior to that, she was deputy executive director, financial services regulation at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Before joining ASIC, McAlister was a partner with Freehills in Melbourne, practising almost exclusively in superannuation.

"Pamela's outstanding experience and expertise in superannuation and financial services law and compliance is a perfect complement to the firm's existing financial services industry strength and is a good fit in line with our firm's growth strategy," said managing partner, Tony Macvean.

McAlister will join Hall & Wilcox in early November 2010.