Law firms get new partners

Law firms Clifford Chance and Lavan Legal have announced new appointments, with Paul Vinci taking the helm as managing partner and Jon Carson as senior partner of Clifford’s Perth office.

Mr Vinci succeeds Michael Lishman, who will be joining Australian investment bank Gresham Partners as managing director and head of its Western Australian division.

Clifford Asia Pacific managing partner Peter Charlton said the firm was extremely fortunate to be able to call upon both Mr Vinci and Mr Carson, who are well-regarded and recognised in the WA legal market.

Mr Vinci said he was honoured to be taking up the role of managing partner for the Perth office.

“We have made great progress in growing our business and developing our people and I look forward to leading the office and working more closely with our global network in the next phase of our growth,” Mr Vinci said.

Mr Vinci joined Cochrane Lishman in 2006 from Mallesons Stephen Jaques, which is now King & Wood Mallesons, and has been a partner since 2008, advising on significant public takeovers and mergers, equity capital markets transactions and private acquisitions and disposals.

Cochrane Lishman Carcon Luscombe merged with Clifford in 2011.

Clifford was ranked as the top law firm in the Business News 2014 corporate finance league table.

Meanwhile, the partners of Lavan have announced the appointment of Derek La Ferla as a partner in corporate services.

He will also take up a position on Lavan’s advisory board.

He joins the firm from Norton Rose Fulbright, where he was national leader of the corporate advisory team and the infrastructure, mining and commodities industry group.

Mr La Ferla is also chairman of Sandfire Resources, OTOC and Cashmere Iron.