Global managing partner Jim Segerdahl welcomed the new partners, saying: “We are excited about the firm’s future with an outstanding group of quality lawyers and people helping lead the change. We are proud to have them as partners.”

In Sydney, Clive Cachia and Alex Smith have become partners. Mr Cachia advises companies in the energy, infrastructure and natural resources industries on corporate and securities matters, such as M&As, joint ventures and operating agreements.

Meanwhile, Ms Smith counsels her clients in real estate, retail, resourcing, insolvency, infrastructure, leisure and automotive industries.

In Melbourne, Emma Dawes and Hannah Jankiewicz were named partners. Both have been members of the commercial litigation practice. Ms Dawes represents community health, hospitals, doctors and ambulance services in medical defence cases, general liability, professional indemnity and insurance coverage matters.

While Ms Jankiewicz counsels her clients on medical malpractice claims, general and public liability and on personal injury within the commercial litigation practice.

Australia managing partner Nick Nichola said each of the new hires was “thoroughly deserving” of his or her promotion within the firm: “Each of these highly skilled lawyers ha[s] demonstrated outstanding legal skills, client service and leadership capabilities, which are essential in the development of the next generation of leaders in our firm.

“I am delighted to welcome Clive, Emma, Hannah and Alex to K&L Gates partnership and congratulate all new special counsel and senior associates across Australia on their promotions, which are an important career milestone that we are proud to celebrate.”

In 2020, K&L Gates said 75 per cent of its partner promotions are women who flexibly work part-time, which reflects the firm’s belief to commit to a gender balance in partner roles and to progress talent “regardless of individual work arrangements”.

Over the last eight years, K&L Gates has been named as a citation holder and leader of gender equality in the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

“It is fitting that we announce our promotions on the same day that WGEA confirms our citation as an employer of choice for gender equality in Australia, which I believe demonstrates that our policies are successfully delivering our commitment to achieve gender equality at all levels in our firm, including leadership,” Mr Nichola said.

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