Corrs Chambers Westgarth has strengthened its Perth M&A practice by snapping up three M&A partners from Middletons. The appointees are Robert Franklyn, the founder of Franklyn Legal and fellow ex-Franklyn directors Christian Owen and Russell Philip. Franklyn Legal and boutique firm Salter Power had entered a three-way merger with Middletons in 2008 and the departure of the Franklyn partners therefore comes as something of a surprise.

Franklyn told ALB he was attracted by the opportunities presented by Corrs' national M&A capability and the firm's commitment to further strengthening its team through lateral recruitment. The new recruits will bring with them long-standing established clients of Franklyn Legal, which has advised on major transactions including the Murchison Metals' proposed A$3 bn merger with Midwest Corporation.

Franklyn told ALB that Perth is a booming M&A market. "The market has had a turn around from last year; now it is looking at growth rather than survival," Franklyn said. "We see growing international interest in Australia's resources market, especially the infrastructure and mining projects around Perth." Franklyn forecasts that higher commodity prices and consolidation of the resources sector will activate M&A activity in 2010.

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