O’Malley brings 25 years of extensive senior leadership experience to this position, having previously served as the global legal business solutions leader at big four firm PwC for over eight years, as well as 13 years as the managing partner in Australia at global law firm King & Wood Mallesons.

He also held the position of director and co-founder at LCR Advisory Pty Limited.

Over the course of his legal career, which spans more than 30 years, O’Malley has achieved several notable milestones. These include “leading a global strategy refresh at PwC that returned the legal network to double-digit growth” and “playing a key role at Mallesons in the regional combination with King & Wood”, according to Kain Lawyers.

Speaking on the appointment, Michael Garry, managing director of Kain Lawyers, expressed how O’Malley will add immense value as the firm continues to strengthen its national presence.

“Tony’s expertise will support our commitment to delivering the specialised insights and market knowledge that sets us apart, ensuring we continue to attract leading transactional clients and legal talent. We look forward to the leadership and strategic vision he will no doubt bring,” Garry said.

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O’Malley joins fellow Kain Lawyers board members, Mark Booth (non-executive chair), Fiona Pak-Poy (independent non-executive director), Tony O’Malley (non-executive director), Michael Garry (Kain Lawyers managing director), John Kain (executive director) and Gerry Cawson (executive director).

The news follows the firm’s appointment of Garry as managing director in April, hiring Mark Currell as the new Australian managing partner of global firm Clifford Chance in the same month, bolstering it’s M&A capabilities with the appointment of a director and special counsel in early September, and strengthening its presence in Melbourne with a new office and a strategic senior appointment from PwC Australia’s legal business in July.

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