These roles are commensurate in level, but special counsel differ from executive counsel in that they specialise in a particular niche area of law, according to the firm.

This news follows the promotion of 10 new HSF partners in Australia, in a promotion round the firm said was its “largest in Australia for the second consecutive year”, as reported by Lawyers Weekly last week.

The new counsel are from the firm’s corporate, disputes, employment, projects and real estate practice groups and come into effect from 1 May.

The firm’s new executive counsel are Lucy Boyd, Matthew Cameron, Laurelle Ko, Julia Orbach and Bailee Walker. Christopher Hicks and Ben Plotnik have also been promoted to special counsel.

Incoming executive partner, Australia and Asia, Kristin Stammer, congratulated each of the new counsel on their promotions and said they have extensive experience in private capital, energy transition and environmental, social and governance (ESG).

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“They are all outstanding practitioners with the skills, experience and team-leadership qualities that will continue to give our law firm the market edge. Crucially, they have an unrelenting focus on clients,” she said.

“These priorities are not just part of Australia’s economic future; they are powering it. These promotions reflect this reality and our determination to be the law firm of choice when it comes to maximising the opportunities they present for our clients.”