Having served on the Freehills board for the last three years, as the new chairman Crean will replace Robert Nicholson, who has chosen to step down after one term as chairman and nine years serving on the board.

"Mark has continually demonstrated strength in leadership at Freehills," said Freehills CEO Gavin Bell. "He has established several successful practices and was an important leader in helping the corporate team to establish its leading position."

Aside from Crean, Freehills' board is currently made up of seven partners, including Bell, Al Donald (who replaces Nicholson's position on board), Rebecca Maslen-Stannage, Jane Hodder, Jason Ricketts and Geoff Healy, as well as two external advisors, Helen Nugent and Garry Hounsell.