Baker McKenzie in Australia has announced its new senior appointments as from 1 July 2022. The Firm has internally promoted 5 partners, 9 special counsels and 14 senior associates.
Baker McKenzie's Australia National Managing Partner, Anthony Foley stated: "These internal promotions highlight the depth of talent we have within our Firm. These promotions are a result of our success in helping clients navigate complex challenges which include: energy transition and decarbonization, digital transformation, sustainability, workforce redesign, supply chain disruption and strategic transactions that continue to grow their businesses"
Anthony further stated: "We are also proud to promote two partners and two special counsel at a time when they are currently away on parental leave. It's critical that we continue to support our people as they progress in their careers during this period and for them to know that it will not set them back in their path to success."
Anne-Marie Allgrove, Chair of the Firm's Inclusion & Diversity Committee, stated: "Not only are we thrilled to have such outstanding talent to promote but we are also proud that three of the promotions are men who are either currently on parental leave or recently returned from parental leave. We have worked hard to encourage our men at all levels within the Firm to take parental leave as we know that it is not only good for them but it is critical in the journey to true equity for all within the Firm."
As of 1 June 2022, Baker McKenzie announced that it will offer employees 26 weeks paid parental leave (an increase from 18 weeks) for all its Australian employees who welcome a new child, which can be used within the first two years of the birth/adoption of the child. This benefit is available to all employees.
The policy change also included superannuation contributions to be paid on unpaid leave up to 52 weeks (noting super is already paid on the parental leave payments). The Firm also increased, from one month to three, the budget relief provided to lawyers in order to help them transition back to work.
Appointments as of 1 July 2022
Partners
Alan Darwin
Tharani Dharmaraj
Liam Hickey
Brigid Maher
Caitlin Whale
Special Counsel
Dean Bao
Jarrod Bayliss-McCulloch
Matthew Bliem
Michael Diston
Jayme-Lyn Hendriks
Rani Narulla
Andrew Prowse
Chantal Savage
Edwina Tidmarsh
Senior Associates
Gareth Austin
Rowena Baer
Josh Baldacchino
Kristen Centorame
Cal Dioluin
Joshua Donald
Carmel Foley
Sid Jones
Hank Jong
Jeffrey Leung
Amye McArthur
Rachel McNally
Alanna Rennie
Jake Spain