The firm promoted three female lawyers to partner
Piper Alderman has made 17 promotions, including seven new partners.
The appointments, which come into effect on 1 July, boost the firm’s female partner number to 23%. Of the new partners, five are located in Brisbane, which doubles the partnership in the Queensland capital to 10.
The new partners are Mark Askin, Valerie Blacker, Maria Capati, Will Fennell, Adam Rinaldi, Lillian Rizio, and Josh Steele. The firm has also promoted three special counsel, two senior associates, and five associates.
The appointments come after the firm’s mid-year promotions, which elevated two to senior associate and three to associate.
“As a firm we are continuously looking for opportunities to develop and promote our internal talent. Our new partner appointments are reflective of our firm’s strategy for growth in a competitive market,” Tony Britten-Jones said.
The Piper Alderman managing partner said that the firm has based its promotions on the lawyers’ technical excellence, superior client service, and strong team and personal performance.
“It cannot be said too many times that what drives our firm is the talent and dedication of our people, combined with their desire to innovate and collaborate with others,” he said.
Britten-Jones also revealed that the three female partners promoted by the firm took parental leave this year.
“We are also delighted to promote three of our female lawyers to partnership, all of whom have taken or are taking parental leave in 2018. Piper Alderman is supportive of our working mothers and the new partner promotions endorse our commitment to flexible working,” he said.
Mark Askin
Askin, who is part of the firm’s real estate group in Brisbane, joined the firm in 2013 as a senior associate and was promoted to special counsel in 2016. He specialises in the acquisition, disposal and development of commercial, industrial, and retail properties. He is also an expert in retail, commercial, and industrial leasing.
Valerie Blacker
A dispute resolution team member in Brisbane, Blacker focuses on funded litigation matters. She is responsible for a number of large complex matters involving contractual disputes, representative actions, building and construction and professional negligence. She joined the firm in 2009.
Maria Capati
Capati is a commercial lawyer who joined the firm in 2013 as a senior associate. She is an expert in advising Australia’s largest transport operators and State associations on major government public passenger service contracts in all Australian states. A special counsel since 2016, she is also an expert in negotiating and advising on acquisitions or disposals of transport businesses. She returned to the firm last week from parental leave.
Will Fennell
Based in Adelaide, Fennell is a member of the firm’s commercial and tax group. Focused on specialist taxation and general commercial advice, he also is a specialist in the not-for-profit sector on matters including restructuring, tax endorsement, and corporate governance. He has been a special counsel since 2015 and has a master’s degree in tax from Melbourne University.
Adam Rinaldi
Rinaldi, who is also based in Adelaide, is a member of Piper Alderman’s real estate team. He is a specialist in all areas of property, infrastructure, and contract law. He has particular expertise in mixed-use projects, retail and office developments, and retail and commercial tenancies. He moved to the firm in 2014 as an associate.
Lillian Rizio
Rizio is a Brisbane-based member of the firm’s dispute resolution team. She is an expert in all forms of dispute resolution, with a particular focus on corporate and commercial disputes. She joined the firm as a senior associate in 2013 and has been a special counsel since 2016.
Josh Steele
Steele, who is also based in Brisbane, is a part of the corporate team. Specialising in public and private acquisitions and equity capital markets transactions, he has a focus on the energy and resources sectors and fast-growing SMEs. He joined the firm as a senior associate in 2013.
Piper Alderman’s other newly promoted lawyers are:
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Lucy Kenny, dispute resolution, Brisbane
McKenzie Moore, dispute resolution, Sydney
Jen Tan, corporate, Adelaide
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Antony Disciscio, dispute resolution, Adelaide
Matthew Mennilli, dispute resolution, Sydney
ASSOCIATE
Nicholas Allen, dispute resolution, Melbourne
Conrad Banasik, dispute resolution, Melbourne
Ryan Eather, dispute resolution, Brisbane
Alexander Sloan, dispute resolution, Brisbane
Genevieve Yates, dispute resolution, Brisbane
On 1 January, Emily Haar (employment) and Angela Burford (private client services) commenced as senior associates in Adelaide. Rhianne Caruso (real estate), Liberty Privopoulos (corporate), and Peter Smith were elevated to associate in Adelaide for the firm’s mid-year promotions.
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