Padbury was first elected to the role in 2005 to succeed Richard Fisher AM before being reappointed in 2008 for a further three years.

In her time as Chairman, Padbury has guided the firm through the introduction of a performance based remuneration system for partners and the firm's re-branding in 2007.

She also chairs the firm's remuneration and charitable donations committees.

Padbury previously served as an executive partner from 2003-2005 with responsibility for the firm's corporate, competition and IP practices, and was the firm's resident partner in London from 2000-2002.

A member of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's International Legal Services Advisory Council, she has helped develop Blake's international strategy in her role as chairman.

See Lawyers Weekly later this week for an interview with Mary Padbury.