The Brief:
HSF Kramer has promoted ten new partners in Australia, up from eight last year.
Three new disputes partners reflect surging demand for class action defence work, while four energy and infrastructure specialists signal the firm's deepening bench in major projects.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has promoted ten new partners in Australia, effective 1 May 2026, up from eight promotions in 2025.
It's the firm's first global promotion round since its combination with Kramer Levin in June 2025.
The new Australian partners are:
Nataly Adams, Class Actions and Commercial Litigation, Sydney
Sophie Beaman, Industrial Relations, Sydney
Tom Dougherty, Environment, Planning and Communities, Sydney
Matthew Eglezos, Class Actions and Commercial Litigation, Melbourne
Skye Kirby, Corporate Projects, Energy & Infrastructure, Melbourne
Amy Repse, Corporate Finance, Debt Capital Markets and Securitisation, Melbourne
Stuart Robertson, Commercial Property, Infrastructure and Energy, Sydney
Anna Vandervliet, IP, Tech and ESG Disputes, Sydney
Bailee Walker, Corporate Projects, Energy & Infrastructure, Sydney
Simon Walker, M&A, Melbourne
Three of the ten promotions land in litigation, reflecting surging demand for HSF Kramer's class action defence practice.
Demand for our first-class litigation advice, including continued growth in securities and consumer class actions, and the increase in employment and cyber related class actions, has also supported the addition of three partners to our disputes practice.
Four promotions sit in projects, energy and infrastructure, with Dougherty, Kirby, Robertson and Walker all stepping up amid a boom in large-scale Australian energy and infrastructure work.
Globally, HSF Kramer promoted 25 lawyers to partner, and Australia accounts for the largest regional share of that cohort. The firm has also added 35 lateral partners globally since its combination announcement in November 2024.
Chair and senior partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage said:
“Our newly promoted partners exemplify our future focus. They will help ensure that we continue to have the depth, breadth and experience to deliver the very best service for our clients.”
Source: HSF Kramer