Joining G+T from Freehills, Pathak will lead the firm's Melbourne M&A team, bringing expertise in listed company takeovers/schemes of arrangement, cross-border acquisitions, mining and resources company deals and corporate governance advice.

"I wasn't looking to move but after talking about it with a number of the key partners [at G+T], I thought it was a unique and exciting opportunity," explained Pathak.

"I'm really excited about growing something in Melbourne. There's going to be a challenge in the sense that the brand isn't well known yet in Melbourne, but that's the excitement of it."

Joining G+T's Sydney team from Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Bancroft specialises in major corporate and commercial transactions. He has extensive experience in large public M&A transactions working with all major financial advisers, developed over 30 years as a partner at Mallesons.

According to Bancroft, his original plan was to retire later this year. However, G+T approached him with a "fantastic opportunity", putting put his retirement plans on hold.

"I was looking for things to do post my Mallesons retirement... [Moving to G+T] was of interest to me and of interest to the firm," said Bancroft. "I'm not trying to build a long-term practice but trying to assist the firm and some of the younger partners in trying to develop their practices."