The appointment comes as CPO Belinda Cohen transitions into her new role as CEO, succeeding Richard Wood, on 1 July.

McIllree joins from big four firm Deloitte, where she served as talent director for over three years.

Prior to this, McIllree worked within various large corporations, including PwC Australia, Australia Post, and Telstra.

Speaking about the appointment, Cohen praised McIllree’s leadership style, noting that her values align with those of Gilchrist Connell.

“Emmeline brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to build and sustain a thriving organisation that keeps its clients and its people at the heart of everything it does,” she said.

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“Her leadership style and values are a perfect match for Gilchrist Connell, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”

Initially reported by Lawyers Weekly in November, Cohen’s move into the CEO role marks what Gilchrist Connell described as likely the first appointment of a CEO with a people and culture and human resources background.

“I have spent the last 20 years of my working life combining legal, operational and people expertise to create profitable businesses that thrive. In my consultancy career, I have coached executive leaders, including CEOs, to do this,” Cohen previously shared with Lawyers Weekly.

“I think my experience working in both fee-earning and support roles in law firms, as well as my background in-house, provides me with a unique perspective on the needs of both law firm employees and our clients.”

This news follows the firm’s appointment of one principal and two senior associates within its national health law practice earlier this week, the addition of two special counsel and four senior associates in mid-March, and the hiring of a health law principal in the same month.

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