Russell Kennedy principal, Michael Gorton AM, has been elected vice president of the International Alliance of Law Firms (IALF). He is the first Australian to be elected to this position.  

The International Alliance is an international network of select, business-oriented law firms and has 60 member firms in 43 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa and in 2010, celebrated its 20th Anniversary.

Gorton said he was honoured to be elected. "Our participation in the Alliance enhances the network of firms available to our clients across the globe. 

“I am delighted to be the first Australian representative in the leadership of the Alliance, and will strongly represent both Australia and the Asia Pacific Region."

More than 100 lawyers from across the globe gathered at the annual meeting in Chicago to consider a range of professional and industry issues, including technology, marketing and business development, alternative fee structures and professional issues.

Russell Kennedy is a Melbourne-based law firm with 85 lawyers, and is part of the national Kennedy Strang Legal Group.