After almost two decades of continuous service to Mallesons’ partnership, Sydney-based Marshall linked with US firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP’s London arm.

Like at least three Malle- sons lawyers, partner and London head Ken Astridge among them, who shifted overseas lately to boost the firm’s international profile, Marshall too found himself abroad in recent times.

And it was during a 2002 international sojourn that the major projects expert made acquaintances with his new employer.

“Last year, I worked very closely with some of the partners at Cadwalader in New York on the financial restructuring of the bondholders to the Anaconda Nickel Project in Western Australia,” he said. “In the context of that transaction, we developed a great working relationship and I think it fair to say that each of us were mutually impressed with the other’s expertise, and work ethic.”

Cadwalader’s courtship commenced soon after; their overtures well received by Marshall, who, educated and admitted in the UK, had a desire to return.

“I felt that [the offer] gave me an excellent opportunity to better service some of my existing clients as well as allowing me to assist Caldwalader in growing its corporate practice,” he said.

Aside from the Anaconda project, in which he assisted Glencore International AG, Marshall’s other major work of late surrounded advice to Xstrata plc in its equity, debt raisings and subsequent acquisition of MIM Holdings.

Since joining Mallesons in 1979, Marshall has advised mainly on large projects, with a particular emphasis on the coal industry and natural resources sector. Andrew Wilkinson, managing partner of Cadwalader’s London office, anticipated that the antipodean addition would “add diversity” to the firm’s corporate practice.