Norton Rose bulks up in Australia with local hire and London relocation

London-based global head of climate change and carbon finance Anthony Hobley has relocated from London to Sydney as part of the firm’s strategy to be the top climate change practice in Australia and Asia-Pacific.

Don Boyd, deputy chief executive of the Norton Rose Group, said: “We’ve built a strong national climate change practice in Australia made up of 10 key lawyers across our five offices. As the largest international law firm in Australia we intend to be, and have the resources to be, the leading climate change practice in Australia.”

Meanwhile, partner Vincent Dwyer has joined Norton Rose Deacons from Gilbert & Tobin, where he was co-head of the Australian firm’s energy and infrastructure group.

His hire follows the arrival of four partners in Australia and one in Singapore as Norton Rose flexes its new-found muscle in the region. The firm, known locally following the merger as Norton Rose Australia, is now the largest international legal practice in the jurisdiction.

Head of corporate in Australia Elizabeth Hallett said: “Vincent Dwyer is an outstanding lawyer who’s been involved in many significant domestic and cross-border transactions.

“His experience in important markets in China, South-East Asia and the Middle East makes him an excellent fit for our corporate team, and our regional energy and infrastructure practices - a key part of the group’s international growth strategy.”

Dwyer has a broad M&A and projects practice, particularly in the infrastructure sector.

He said: “Norton Rose’s headlights strategy focusing, among other things, on the energy, infrastructure and transport sectors together with its deep international network is a powerful base from which to draw expertise and, with that team, to continue developing a leading domestic and regional practice in those areas.”