Peter Deegan, formerly a real estate partner at Clifford Chance, has moved to Australia, attracted, Advent says, by the concept of doing work for one client at a time. 

The firm, meanwhile, says the new partner has broad expertise in an age of specialisation. The firm said he is a trusted and well regarded corporate and finance lawyer whose broad ranging experience is an invaluable resource.

“As Advent entrenches its position in Australasia, [his] experience advising on a broad range of M&A, finance and restructuring transactions in London, Moscow, Budapest, Warsaw, Madrid and Abu Dhabi will be particularly relevant for our global clients," said Advent founder and chief executive John Knox.

“In an age of specialisation, the range of Peter’s legal experience is uncommon. Add his project management and communication skills to his multi-national background and you have a fairly unique offering,” Knox said.

Deegan himself says likes Advent's fixed fee, in-house approach to lawyering. 

“I want to get closer to clients," he said. “As an external advisor you can only get so close.  At this stage of my career, I’d like to be more involved.

"I get work as an integral part of the client’s team, without the distraction of having to run a practice or work on other deals for other clients."

Working like this will give Deegan more flexibility when he is not placed in-house, he said. 

Knox said the firm gives lawyers the chance to work on projects, anywhere from a day up to a year, and mostly work at client’s premises. 

"They get a say in the work they do and invariably become an integral part of the clients’ teams.

“Without exception, they are all outstanding lawyers; passionate about their work and passionate about what they do outside of the law. Invariably they want to be part of a fast moving energetic culture that is pushing the boundaries of the traditional law firm model,” Knox said.

Advent Lawyers’ Australasian client base already includes Cisco Systems, Macquarie Telecom, Schneider Electric, Merrill Lynch, Macquarie Bank, Dymocks, National Australia Bank, UBS, Credit Suisse, Nestle, Coca Cola, Nokia Siemens Networks and Yahoo!7.

Advent Lawyers recently hired technology lawyers Graham Jefferson to lead the firm's technology, media and telecoms practice. He moved from Deutsche Bank in Sydney, but has previously worked at the bank's London and Singapore offices. He previously worked in-house at Barclays Capital in London.