Global law firm Baker McKenzie has expanded its Australian team with the addition of two new partners, strengthening its energy and tax practices.
Baker McKenzie has bolstered its partnership team with the appointments of Sarah Birrell (pictured) as an energy partner in Melbourne and Victoria Lanyon (pictured) as a tax partner in Sydney.
Both new partners join the global law firm from leading international law firms, with Birrell coming from Allens, where she served as a managing associate, and Lanyon joining from King & Wood Mallesons, where she was a senior associate.
Birrell brings 20 years of experience advising clients in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors on projects, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and divestments.
Raymond Lou, head of energy at Baker McKenzie Australia, shared how Birrell brings expertise that aligns closely with the firm’s client-focused approach, joining at a time of growing demand.
“Sarah perfectly complements the value we offer clients through a unique understanding of the global energy, mining and infrastructure sectors – both in terms of their regulatory environments and energy transition arrangements,” Lou said.
“She joins us at a busy time of increasing client demand. I am delighted to welcome Sarah and draw on her wealth of experience.”
Lanyon offers broad experience advising multinational corporations on Australian taxation law, with a focus on corporate acquisitions and divestments by private equity and corporate clients.
Lou expressed her enthusiasm towards Lanyon joining the firm, sharing how she “is well known for her technical excellence and commercial acumen”.
Anne-Marie Allgrove, national managing partner at Baker McKenzie, shared how “Sarah [Birrell] is a terrific addition to our busy and growing national energy practice”.
She added: “Victoria [Lanyon] offers particular experience in corporate acquisitions and divestments by global private equity and corporate clients.”
“She also has extensive experience advising mining and energy companies in respect of both federal and state tax and royalty matters. She is an impressive addition to our national tax practice – now one of the largest legal tax practices in the country.”
This news comes after the firm added a private equity special counsel at the start of the month, the acquisition of Corrs special counsel in July, its appointment of a lateral partner and promotion of 23 in the same month, its election of a London partner to global chair in June, and its appointment of a former HL lawyer as special counsel in May.
