Ms Bates brings vast experience to her new role, having advised a diverse base of private and listed clients globally on mergers and acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, private equity transactions, schemes of arrangements, corporate governance issues, commercial contracts and general corporate advice, a statement from the firm said.

Mr Lee, who will officially join Lavan on 25 February, specialises in the full range of restructuring, insolvency and litigation matters, with particular experience in the financial services and energy and resources sectors. He has acted on a range of large and complex restructuring and disputes matters for major Australian and international clients and has appeared as counsel in the Federal Court, the WA Supreme Court and in domestic and international arbitrations.

“Krista’s commercial acumen and global experience will make her an invaluable source of advice for Lavan’s clients who are navigating complex business issues in Australia and overseas,” Lavan managing partner Dean Hely said.

“Lawrence is an extremely well-respected lawyer who has worked on some of Western Australia’s most high profile reconstructions, external administrations and disputes. Lawrence will bring additional valuable experience to Lavan’s highly regarded reconstruction and insolvency team.”