Ms McKean is a specialist in commercial dispute resolution, public and administrative law and investigations and reviews, according to a statement from Ashurst.

In her 18 years’ legal experience, she has advised and acted for government, corporate and private clients, including conducting major investigations for the Australian government.

Ms McKean was previously a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, having joined from Henry Davis York when the firms merged late last year.

NRF recently hit back at claims that it was about to lose the last of its lawyers in Canberra.

Ms Summersby is a specialist in intellectual property and technology, media and telecommunications law.

She has over 20 years’ experience advising the Australian government, and has worked on some of the Commonwealth’s most recognised projects and programs, Ashurst said.

Ms Summersby’s experience includes government contracting, information and communications technology (ICT) contracts, intellectual property, privacy and business process outsourcing.

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She joins Ashurst from HWL Ebsworth, where she was a partner since 2012. Prior to this she spent 18 years at Ashurst.

HWL has had troubles of its own since it merged with TressCox Lawyers earlier this month, with 16 partners and staff leaving TressCox as the merger went live.

Ashurst Canberra managing partner Paul Vane-Tempest said the two new partners would support the growth of the Canberra practice.

“Angela and Melanie are both highly regarded legal practitioners with impressive public-sector expertise,” he said.

“Their hires support our growth agenda for the Canberra market, while greatly bolstering our government and corporate client service offering. We look forward to welcoming them to the team.”