The Brief:
HWLE has appointed three new partners effective 1 July 2026, as part of a record 108-promotion round.
The new partners span insurance, corporate and litigation, across Melbourne and Hobart.
HWLE has announced its biggest-ever promotion round, elevating 108 people across the firm, including three new partners. It’s a smaller partner cohort than last year’s June round, which saw six partners appointed alongside 96 staff promotions.
The trio joining the partnership are:
Taylor Austin, Insurance (Melbourne): a personal injury and public liability specialist with extensive experience in historical sexual abuse litigation for government agencies, insurers and private organisations.
Paul Burgoyne, Corporate & Commercial (Melbourne): a lawyer and CPA who advises across taxation, corporate and trust law, with clients spanning listed companies, high-net-worth individuals and family groups.
Frances Spry, Litigation (Hobart): a health and workplace relations specialist acting for medical professionals and employers across negligence, disciplinary matters and employment claims.
The broader round includes nine Special Counsels, 18 Senior Associates, 65 Associates and 13 Support and Shared Services staff.
CEO Kris Hopkins said the promotions reflect individuals who “embody our focus on excellence and the strong connections that underpin how we work,” adding the firm remains “focused on creating an environment where people are supported to succeed, can do their best work, and build meaningful careers.”
Source: HWLE