Her second term is effective as of today (5 May) until 30 April 2029.

The news follows the firm’s recent naming of eight new partners Down Under, its hiring of a real estate partner from Corrs Chambers Westgarth, and its naming of four new executive counsel in Australia.

It also follows the votes, earlier this month, by the partnerships of both HSF and US-based firm Kramer Levin in favour of a merger, which will create a US$2 billion turnover practice. The merged entity, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, is expected to launch on 1 June.

Maslen-Stannage is an award-winning corporate lawyer, having previously won the Dealmaker of the Year category at the Australian Law Awards.

She advises, HSF said in a statement, leading Australian and international clients in private and public M&A, equity capital markets, crisis management and corporate governance, and is a member of the Takeovers Panel.

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She has spent the entirety of her career at the firm, having joined Freehills (now HSF) in 1994 as an articled clerk. She joined the partnership in 2000 and was on the firm’s partnership council from 2012 to 2019.

Prior to assuming the roles of chair and senior partner in 2021, she served as deputy senior partner of HSF from 2015 to 2019.

Speaking about her reappointment, Maslen-Stannage said: “I am deeply honoured to be re-elected as the firm’s chair and senior partner. I am incredibly proud of our firm and what we have achieved together.

“Clients trust us to advise them on the most important mandates and complex challenges, which is testament to the commitment and talent of our people. It is a privilege to continue being part of the firm’s leadership and working with my fellow partners and our broader team at this exciting juncture.”

The firm’s global chief executive, Justin D’Agostino (also pictured), said: “We are truly grateful for Rebecca’s leadership as chair of our firm’s global council and its senior partner. Bec has done a fantastic job, and her reappointment enables us to continue the exciting journey of bringing our ambitious vision to life and building on what will be our fantastic global platform as Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.

“The firm’s growth and ambitions are accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and I look forward to continuing to work with Bec at this important time in our firm’s history.”