Hall & Wilcox’s 34 new senior appointments reflect continued growth and support for clients

Leading independent business law firm Hall & Wilcox is delighted to announce 34 senior appointments, including eight new partners: John Bassilios, Vince Battaglia, David Dickens, Emily Kyriacou, Elisa Paxton, Katherine Payne, Rebecca Shelley and Tanya Smart.

In addition to the new partners, the firm has appointed 11 new Special Counsel and 15 new Senior Associates.

You can get to know our new partners and senior lawyers here. All promotions are effective from 1 July 2020.

Managing Partner Tony Macvean said the record number of appointments reflects Hall & Wilcox’s commitment to supporting its clients and enabling its people to thrive.

‘We are thrilled to promote our people to ensure we are offering the best support for our clients, particularly during these challenging times,’ he said.

‘Our team is expanding so we’re on the ground with our clients.

‘Our new senior people are great Hall & Wilcox people, with a strong focus on providing a great client experience and technical excellence. They are also industry and sector-focused, ensuring they understand how businesses are being impacted by COVID-19 and other market changes.’

Consistent with the firm’s focus on diversity and inclusion, Tony noted that 60% of the new partners and 58% of the senior lawyer appointments were female.

New Partners

John Bassilios has broad experience in financial services, funds management and corporate and commercial law, including capital markets, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions and AML/CTF. He has particular expertise and interest in fintech, blockchain/digital assets and startups. John is also a Director of Blockchain Australia and the Foundation of International Blockchain and Real Estate Expertise (FIBREE).

Vince Battaglia is a funds management and financial services specialist, who works with Australian and global financial services providers and fund managers. He is experienced in advising on a wide range of financial products, particularly in relation to retail and wholesale managed investment schemes.

David Dickens is a commercial litigator with extensive expertise in banking and finance, restructuring and turnaround, property disputes, insolvency and general commercial disputes. David leads the firm’s Turnaround & Corporate Renewal team. He is a trusted adviser to financiers on all aspects of security enforcement. David also advises on real estate disputes, acting for national landlords, significant tenants, investors and developers.

Emily Kyriacou is a property lawyer specialising in sales and acquisitions of real estate and complex, standard and stream commercial and retail leasing. She acts for a variety of clients, including property funds, large companies, property developers and clients in the public sector.

Elisa Paxton acts for WorkSafe Victoria and its agents and employers. Her practice focuses on common law and statutory benefits claims with a particular interest in common law multi-defendant and liability matters. Elisa litigates in the Magistrates’, County and Supreme Courts and has experience in out of court settlements and Medical Panel referrals.

Katherine Payne is a commercial litigation and insolvency expert, whose primary expertise is in corporate insolvency, the Personal Property Securities Act, contractual disputes, and building and construction litigation in an insolvency context.

Rebecca Shelley has extensive experience advising Government, large commercial insurers and self-insured corporations in the management and defence of a range of workplace injury claims, both statutory and common law.

Tanya Smart is an expert in CTP claims, as well as being an Accredited Specialist in personal injury.