Previously at Clayton Utz, public and administrative law expert Michael Palfrey joins Sparke Helmore as a partner, bringing 11 years' experience gained in the legal branches of the Department of Finance and Deregulation, Department of Health and Ageing and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

He joins the firm along with three other senior lawyers from Clayton Utz, including consultant James Stellios, associate professor in constitutional law at the Australian National University College of Law.

A consultant at Clayton Utz since 2005, Stellios has also worked with the Australian Government Solicitor and as Counsel Assisting the Commonwealth Solicitor-General.

This week's addition follows the firm's 2010 appointment of five government specialists, including partner Richard Morrison, from Clayton Utz.