Former Blake Dawson/ Ashurst partner David Williamson is re-joining the firm after more than three years as a senior executive at BHP Billiton.

After 28 years at Blakes, Williamson joined BHP Billiton in April 2010 as Head of Group Legal and for the past 22 months has also served as Chief Compliance Officer. "We are delighted that someone of David's calibre and experience in the Australian legal profession is re-joining the firm,” said  Ashurst Australia chairman Mary Padbury.  “David's role has placed him in a unique position to understand the impact of the globalisation of legal services and best practice among top-tier firms seeking to address the needs of multinational clients." Williamson will remain with BHP Billiton until the end of the current financial year before joining Ashurst later in the year.

Meanwhile, Herbert Smith Freehills partner Geoff Healy has been appointed as BHP’s Chief Legal Counsel, taking up his new role from June 2013.