KWM brings in dispute resolution stars

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has brought in two prominent lawyers known for their expertise in dispute resolution.

Damian Lovell and Hamish Macpherson join the legal giant in Sydney as partners, adding to the firm years of high-level experience gained from other top-tier firms and blue-chip companies.

Lovell moved to KWM from National Australia Bank, where he was a litigation consultant. He was also vice president of litigation at BHP for six years, and a partner at Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) for 12 years.

Macpherson joins the firm next month from White & Case. He was also global head of the construction disputes practice at HSF, where he was a partner since 2005.

KWM said that the duo has extensive experience in the financial services, energy and resources, industrial, real estate, and infrastructure sectors. The firm said that the appointment comes at a time that KWM bolsters its offering in response to the evolving dispute resolution landscape.

“Our differentiation and strength is in significant and complex litigation, supplemented by specialist expertise. The arrival of both Damian and Hamish will amplify this, building on our strategic capability to help our clients resolve disputes and regulatory issues effectively, quickly and with minimum distraction to their core businesses,” said Peter Pether, the managing partner of the firm’s dispute resolution practice.

Berkeley Cox, chief executive partner in Australia, said that the firm’s reputation in the dispute resolution market is “built on the quality of our people and the commercial outcomes they help our clients achieve.”

“Over several years we have deliberately focused on growing our pipeline of future dispute resolution leaders and positioning the practice for continued growth and success. We are very pleased to be able to complement our existing strengths with the calibre of Damian and Hamish to continue to meet our clients’ needs,” Cox said.