Freehills remains committed to its superannuation practice despite the imminent loss of partner Natalie Gullifer and consultant Peggy Haines to Lander & Rogers, CEO Gavin Bell has said.

The “culling” of less profitable practices has been topical lately as full service firms come to terms with competition from new market entrants. Bell said that the departure of Gullifer and Haines was not connected with this issue.

“Whilst we are sorry to see them leave, it was their personal decision based on fit for their practice and unrelated to the Leading Practices Review,” he said. “Freehills remains committed to superannuation with a team that will continue to be regarded as amongst the best in Australia.”

 The firm’s national superannuation team includes partner Michael Vrisakis, consultant David Cooper and special counsel Sarah Yu.