Having completed a crucial overhaul of its management and remuneration structures towards the end of 2013, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) would have hoped to get 2014 off to a positive start but has instead suffered another setback, with news that the head of the firm’s mining practice in Perth, Justin Little, will join independent Australian outfit Gilbert + Tobin.
Little will join the Perth office of Gilbert + Tobin in its energy and resources practice. He is a member of the Australian Mining and Petroleum Law Association and has extensive experience advising Australian publically listed mining and resources companies, including BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, on M&A transactions and equity fundraisings.
Gilbert + Tobin’s Perth managing partner, Michael Blakiston said the appointment reflects the ongoing development of the firm’s energy and resources practice, particularly in the oil and gas industry.
‘I am delighted that a lawyer of Justin’s calibre and ambition is joining our firm,’ he said. ‘Justin will strengthen our presence in Perth and make a valuable contribution to the national growth of our energy and resources practice.’
As the merger between legacy Herbert Smith and Australia’s Freehills in 2012 was partly motivated by the desire to build a strong energy practice, the loss of a high-profile industry expert will come as a blow to the firm and follows the departure energy finance specialist Jason Fox to Bracewell & Guiliani in London in March 2013. This exit added to other big-name losses throughout the year in another core practice area – disputes – with Ted Greeno joining Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and Simon Bushell leaving for Latham & Watkins.
Further signs of post-merger discontent at a senior level were also evident on the Australian side in late 2013, with Singapore managing partner John Dick and corporate partner Geoffrey Grice also leaving the firm.
david.stevenson@legalease.co.uk
