Law firm Clifford Chance has lost the two partners who established the forerunner to its Perth office, after Michael Lishman accepted an offer to join corporate advisory firm Gresham Partners. His move follows the retirement of Ian Cochrane at the end of last year.
Together they established Cochrane Lishman in 2006, after leaving Mallesons Stephen Jaques.
Their boutique corporate practice grew substantially over the next five years, with the addition of new partners Jon Carson and Ben Luscombe among others, until 2011 when it merged with top tier London firm Clifford Chance.
Mr Carson told Business News Clifford Chance had the people and experience to handle the departures.
“To lose people of that calibre is a loss and would be in any firm, but we still have a very good offering and a good market profile,” Mr Carson said.
He said the firm had five remaining corporate partners in Perth, out of a total of seven Perth partners, and a strong group of associates.
Clifford Chance managing partner Matthew Layton said from Sydney that Mr Lishman “leaves us in very good shape for the future, for which we thank him”.
“In only three and a half years, Michael, together with Mark Pistilli in Sydney, has overseen the integration of our Australian practices into our global network, a doubling of staff and revenue in Australia, and the acquisition of many new and important clients for the firm,” Mr Layton said.
Mr Lishman will join Gresham as managing director and head of its Western Australian division early next year.
He will work with executive directors Chris Branston and Julian Mills, who is moving to a part-time role, and Special Advisor Jenny Seabrook, who also works part time.
“Having worked with Michael on a number of transactions, we believe he will be an outstanding addition to the team and a strong cultural fit,” Mr Branston said.
