Baker McKenzie has welcomed John Nielsen as a new special counsel to its Sydney office.
Nielsen joined the firm from an Australian private equity firm, where he served as an in-house lawyer.
Baker McKenzie transactional co-practice leader Lance Sacks said: “We are delighted to welcome him to the firm.”
Nielsen has experience in private inquiry and broader private corporate transactions, the firm said.
Sacks said: “John has spent the majority of his career focused on areas we are experiencing increasing client demand – private equity and broader private transactions, corporate restructurings and bespoke investments in debt and equity.“
Previously, Nielsen spent time at Ashurst Australia, White & Case South Africa, and Hogan Lovells South Africa.
Sacks added: “John comes to us with a wealth of private equity experience, having served time at leading global law firms in South Africa and Australia.”
Speaking about his appointment, Nielsen said: “Baker McKenzie is well known for acting on market-leading transactions, both locally and internationally.
“I am looking forward to working with a terrifically talented team of lawyers at a time of significant growth for the firm’s transactional practice.”
This appointment follows the firm’s acquisition of Corrs special counsel in July, its appointment of lateral partner and promotion of 23 in the same month, its election of London partner to global chair in June, its appointment of former HL lawyer as special counsel in May, the return of its former tax partner in February, and the acquisition of former HL partner in January.
