Allens Arthur Robinson has today announced the promotion of 12 of its lawyers to partner; the largest partnership round since 2007 - before the GFC. The additions bring the total number of partners at the firm to 185.  A large proportion of the appointments, including those based in Australian offices, signal the firm’s recognition of the changed international legal market, according to Allens chairman Ewen Crouch. The promotions are centred around the firm’s resources, technology, banking and projects practices, and the international client base the firm now deals with.

The promotion of Hop Dang, based in Hanoi, as well as projects lawyer Michael Graves and Julian Donnan, both of whom have worked overseas demonstrates commitment to working with new projects and new economies. Projects partner Graves has experience working in-house in the emerging economies of China and India and corporate partner Donnan was seconded to the firm’s Shanghai office between 2005 and 2008. “I know through my progression, that my fellow partners and colleagues have placed a lot of emphasis on the fact that I’ve had that international in-house experience. I don’t try and tell the client how to run their business, but I can say I understand that business and what they want to achieve,” added Graves.

The number of promotions also recognised the fact that Allens has a solid internal talent base, according to the statement released by the firm.  'In the past four years, Allens has invested heavily in identifying, training and formally mentoring prospective partners,” said chief executive partner, Michael Rose.

Despite the firm promoting an unusually high number to partner, Crouch also left open the possibility of further lateral hires in the coming year as expansion plans get underway. 'In recent years we have made some lateral hires. There is no doubt we have a great pool of talent in the firm as shown by this year's group of new partners [however] we will also consider talented people in the wider market to see where the firm's strategic needs can be met.'

As at July 1 last year Allens had promoted just five to partner internally, and another two through lateral hires, for a total of seven.

The full details of the new partners are below

Nicholas Adkins, Banking, Sydney
Philip Blaxill, Litigation/Insolvency, Perth
Hop Dang, Asia, Hanoi
Julian Donnan, Corporate, Sydney
Karla Fraser, Banking, Brisbane
Michael Graves, Projects, Melbourne
Mark Malinas, Corporate, Melbourne
Penny Nikoloudis, Corporate, Sydney
Jodi Reinmuth, Energy & Resources, Perth
Gavin Smith, Telecommunications, Media & Technology, Sydney
Duncan Travis, Litigation, Melbourne
Matthew Whittle, Insolvency, Melbourne