That's the opinion of the Attorney-General Robert McClelland who announced the new line-up for the Council on Wednesday (4 May).

The new appointments include representatives from eight of the largest law firms in Australia, as well as government department representatives, academics, former Law Council of Australia president Glenn Ferguson and the head of global private equity at MLC, David Krasnostein.

Tim Bugg, a director at Dobson, Mitchell & Allport Lawyers, will chair the panel.

"Recent figures released by ILSAC revealed total exports of Australian legal and related services of $709 million for 2008-09. These are impressive figures, and there are opportunities for further growth in our immediate region and beyond," said McClelland.

The new Council will also undertake a joint study with the Attorney-General's Department to identify key legal services markets that Australia should focus on.

"With the targeted advice from the market study, I am looking forward to working with ILSAC and Australian law firms to encourage expansion into markets that will give this important sector the greatest benefits," said McClelland.

International Legal Services Advisory Council appointments:

Chairman

1. Tim Bugg, Director, Dobson, Mitchell & Allport Lawyers, Hobart

Commercial practitioners

2. Stuart Clark, Chief Operating Officer & Managing Partner International, Clayton Utz,

Sydney

3. John Denton, CEO, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Melbourne

4. Glenn Ferguson, Managing Partner, Ferguson Cannon, Maroochydore

5. Gordon Hughes, Partner, Blake Dawson, Melbourne

6. David Krasnostein, Head, Global Private Equity, MLC, Sydney

7. Tim Lester, Partner, Allens Arthur Robinson, Perth

8. Bronwyn Lincoln, Partner, Freehills, Melbourne

9. Fiona McLeod SC, Barrister, Melbourne

10. Russell Miller AM, Partner & Chairman, Minter Ellison, Canberra

11. Robert Milliner, CEO, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Sydney

12. Mary Padbury, Chairman, Blake Dawson, Melbourne

13. Kerry Ryan, Consultant, Norton Rose, Melbourne

International Legal Education & Training

14. Prof Duncan Bentley, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Curtin Business School, Curtin University of

Technology, Perth

15. Prof Michael Coper, Dean of Law, Australian National University, Canberra

16. Prof Jill McKeough, Dean of Law, University of Technology, Sydney

(also Chair of the Council of Australian Law Deans)

Department/Agency representatives

17. Attorney-General's Department

18. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

19. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

20. Austrade

21. AusAID