This week, five-year-old boutique Blue Rock Law joined M+K Lawyers, bringing to the firm an additional eight lawyers, three staff and two principals, George Haros (pictured right) and Alex Ninis (pictured left).

Blue Rock was a finalist in the Boutique Law Firm category at the Australian Law Awards in August. The firm focuses on IT, workplace relations, property, litigation and commercial law.

“As Blue Rock Law strives to keep ahead of the curve and meet the ever changing need of our clients, teaming up with M+K will allow for greater operating efficiency, solidify our presence nationally, and deliver all-round better value for our clients,” said Haros.

National M+K managing director Damian Paul said Blue Rock’s growth was impressive in the context of a tough market.

M+K is focused on assisting businesses and asset owners in the mid-market. The firm’s 350 staff are spread across offices in five states. Two Blue Rock members in Perth will give M+K its first small presence in Western Australia.

M+K has developed an international profile through membership of Multilaw, a global association of 75 law firms.

M+K also announced the appointment of workplace relations specialist Justine Ansell to the Brisbane office this week. Ansell has broad experience across Australia and the Asia Pacific in human resources, industrial relations and employment law. She was formerly principal adviser to the employers’ organisation, Australian Industry Group.

“Justine bolsters our national workplace relations capabilities, having worked in both the public and private sector across a number of industries,” said Paul.