Mr Thirgood, who spent almost 23 years at leading Australian law firm, McCullough Robertson Lawyers as a partner and head of arbitration stepped away to pursue his career as an independent international arbitrator.

Int Arb-Arbitrators & Mediators said this was a great land for practice, as it not only expands upon but complements the set’s international construction, infrastructure and energy offering but a further international presence and reach in Australia which brings closer links to Asia.

Owen Lawrence, CEO, Int-Arb Arbitrators & Mediators said they were delighted at the arrival of their newest member.

“The addition of Russell further demonstrates our strength in depth and reinforces our rapid growth as a global brand,” Mr Lawrence said.

“Bridging the UK with Australia and the numerous jurisdictions in between, further offers our clients a solid tribunal option. Russell is internationally recognised and already a go-to option for major construction and infrastructure disputes.

“Above all of this, he is one of the nicest guys you can meet, and we very much look forward to being part of his career journey.”

Sam Carter, London-based managing director, added that the arrival of Mr Thirgood will strengthen not only their construction and infrastructure offering, but its commercial, energy and natural resource expertise.

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Mr Thirgood’s expertise lies in substantial and complex construction and infrastructure, and commercial disputes, as well as those arising from energy and natural resource projects. 

A well-regarded and respected practitioner within the construction industry, his expertise covers a wide range of matters.

Mr Thirgood has conducted arbitration cases as arbitrator and counsel across Australia, Asia, US, UK, Middle East, and Europe under some of the key international and domestic arbitral institutional rules.

“I feel privileged and honoured to have been invited to join a truly global and independent chambers of arbitrators,” Mr Thirgood said on his move.

“The Int-Arb Arbitrators & Mediators team and the International Centre of Arbitration provide a unique and high-quality offering and I am delighted to be part of it.”

The arrival of Mr Thirgood comes after the successful recruitment of international arbitrator and mediator, Wolf Von Kumberg which enabled the first international outpost in Washington, DC close to the World Bank, and centre of investor-state disputes.

Both Mr Thirgood and Mr Von Kumberg join the first of the members to arrive at the sets which opened in January 2020, with stellar names including: David Cairns; John Judge; Janet Walker; Calvin Hamilton; and Jane Player. 

Voting is now open for The Lawyers Weekly Award, to be presented to one individual for making substantial, consequential achievements in advancing the Australian legal profession since 2000.

Finalists for this prestigious award have been confirmed as those listed below. To vote for your preferred winner, click here. 

Julian Burnside AO QC (barrister)

Bernard Collaery (barrister, former Attorney-General of the ACT)

Kate Eastman SC (barrister and co-founder, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights)

The Honourable Robert French AC (former chief justice, High Court of Australia)

Sue Kench (global chief executive, King & Wood Mallesons)

The Honourable Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC (chief justice, High Court of Australia)

The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG (former justice, High Court of Australia)

Jane Needham SC (barrister and former president, NSW Bar Association)

Geoffrey Robertson AO QC (barrister)

Professor Gillian Triggs (assistant secretary-general, United Nations and former president, Australian Human Rights Commission)