Chris Freeland is National Managing Partner of Baker & McKenzie's Australian offices and a member of its Asia Pacific Regional Council. Chris has had many years' experience as a lawyer, strategy consultant and professional services manager in leading global and domestic organisations. He has lived and worked in New York, Beijing, Melbourne and Sydney.

Practice Focus

As National Managing Partner of Baker & McKenzie's Australian offices, Chris is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the Firm. Prior to joining Baker & McKenzie in August 2010, Chris was a Partner and the Chief Operating Officer of Gilbert + Tobin where he was involved in all aspects of the firm’s leadership and management, including working in Beijing during 2008 as Senior Advisor to Management of King & Wood.

Chris initially practised corporate law with Freehills and, following completion of an MBA, worked for many years as a strategy consultant with The Boston Consulting Group in Australia and the United States. He was later appointed the General Manager of BCG in Australia and New Zealand.

Chris has received numerous awards, including the Rupert Murdoch Fellowship from Melbourne University and was on the Dean’s Honours List at Columbia University in New York. He is also involved in a number of community organisations, including as Chairman of the Sydney Film Festival.

Professional Associations and Memberships

• CEO Forum Group – Member
• Sydney Film Festival - Chairman
• LawAsia Management Section - Executive Member

Admission
New South Wales~Australia (2006)
Victoria~Australia (1991)
High Court of Australia~Australia (1991)

Education
University of Melbourne (Master of Business Administration) (1996) /Columbia University (Exchange) (1996)
Monash University (Bachelor of Laws (Honours)) (1990)
Monash University (Bachelor of Economics) (1988)
Harvard University (Executive Education Program – Leading Professional Service Firms) (2003)