Lavan is pleased to announce our most recent promotions and appointments, effective from 1 January 2025. These appointments demonstrate Lavan’s recognition of professional excellence, legal expertise and dedication to client service.
We are excited to welcome three new partners in 2025. Congratulations to Mark Hyde in the Restructuring & Insolvency team Sharon Payn in the Employment, Safety & Education team and Alex McGlue in the Planning & Environment team.
A trusted, long-standing member of the Restructuring & Insolvency team, Mark Hyde has extensive experience in the legal profession and is well recognised as a senior insolvency specialist and litigator. Mark has worked on numerous complex matters for high profile corporate clients and is known for his legal acumen and reliability.
Sharon Payn is a highly valued member of the Employment, Safety & Education team, with a background in commercial firms both nationally and globally and as an in-house counsel. Sharon has extensive experience in all areas of workplace relations and has represented employers in the Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, WA Industrial Relations Commission and Human Rights Commission.
Alex McGlue is an integral part of Lavan’s well-respected Planning & Environment team and is consistently recognised in legal directories such as Doyle’s Guide and Best Lawyers™ as a leader in his field. Alex’s promotion to partner recognises his high level of technical legal ability and extensive experience.
Commenting on Mark, Sharon and Alex’s promotion, Lavan’s managing partner Dean Hely said:
“I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution our new partners have made to Lavan in senior roles and to congratulate them on joining Lavan’s partnership.
Mark, Sharon and Alex have consistently demonstrated their commitment to clients and the firm through their strong work ethic and remarkable legal skills. Their promotions are extremely well-deserved and I am confident that they will continue to make an enormous contribution to Lavan in their new roles as partners.”
On her promotion to the role of special counsel we congratulate:
Claudie Hughes – Property & Leasing
Since joining Lavan in 2019, Claudie has demonstrated her significant legal expertise and vast knowledge of property law. Claudie provides valuable guidance to clients and colleagues alike and is a highly valued member of the Property & Leasing team.
On their promotion and appointment to the role of senior associate we congratulate:
Kealeigh Barker – Property & Leasing
Kealeigh is a highly respected and experienced practitioner with 15 years of experience and a valuable addition to Lavan’s Property & Leasing team. Kealeigh brings a diverse range of legal expertise as a commercial and property lawyer and has the ability to create lasting relationships with clients.
Grace Coombs – Family Law
Since joining Lavan in 2024, Grace has made a significant contribution to the Family Law team. Grace is experienced in representing clients at all stages of their matter, including preparation of consent orders when agreement has been reached, representing clients at mediation and assisting them through litigation.
Andrea Lie – Banking & Finance
Lavan’s Banking & Finance team is thrilled to welcome Andrea as a senior associate. Andrea specialises in commercial and institutional banking, finance and lending transactions, as well as financial derivatives documentation.
Stefan Pawlak – Banking & Finance
Stefan is a key member of the Banking & Finance team who has shown great initiative and legal skill when dealing with complex commercial transactions. Stefan’s excellent technical abilities coupled with his practical outlook have facilitated very positive outcomes for clients.
On their promotion and appointment to the role of associate we congratulate:
Emily Byrne – Family Law
Emily is a valued member of the Family Law team who has gained significant experience in all areas of family law, showing particular interest in financial agreements and property matters involving complex corporate structures, valuations, business assets and accounting issues. Emily is also recognised through her work on Lavan’s Community Committee.
Natasha Clay – Corporate Services
Natasha is a valuable new member of Lavan’s Corporate Services team. Natasha is experienced in advising on a broad range of commercial transactions and specialises in equity capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate advisory and regulatory matters.
Roderick Gillis – Banking & Finance
Roderick has been recognised for his remarkable work on a variety of finance, corporate and commercial matters. In particular, Roderick has been recognised for his work on commercial banking, finance and lending transactions, as well as institutional transactions including syndicated facilities.
Aleksa Kovacevic – Restructuring & Insolvency
Aleksa is an integral part of the Restructuring & Insolvency team and works on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters. Aleksa is known as a hardworking and diligent team member, with a sound understanding of the law and is committed to achieving the best outcomes for clients.
Genevieve Mascarenhas – Employment, Safety & Education
Genevieve has joined Lavan as an associate in the Employment, Safety & Education team. She is experienced across all facets of employment law, including human resources, industrial relations and workplace health and safety matters, and assists clients operating in a range of industries on both contentious and non-contentious matters.
Valentine Pons – Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Valentine began her career at Lavan as a law graduate and has made a notable contribution to the firm and Litigation & Dispute Resolution team. Valentine is recognised for her willingness to share her extensive corporate and commercial disputes knowledge and her positive approach.
Sara Stikic – Aged Care, Seniors Living & Disability
Sara has a sound legal knowledge of property law as well as the specialist area of aged care, seniors living and disability. Sara’s ability to analyse complex legal issues pertinent to the client’s needs enables her to provide reliable advice to achieve the best outcomes possible.
Carlyn Tan – Restructuring & Insolvency
Carlyn is an integral part of the Restructuring & Insolvency team and works on a wide range of complex financial distress matters. Carlyn consistently demonstrates strong technical skills and the capacity to work independently while also contributing to the team.
Danielle Wilson – Family Law
Danielle has a background in psychology and extensive experience as a family dispute resolution practitioner, with a detailed understanding of mental health, family domestic violence and child support. Danielle sits on several industry wellbeing committees, and is actively involved in Lavan’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
On announcing these promotions and appointments, managing partner Dean Hely said:
“On behalf of everyone at Lavan, I am extremely proud to congratulate these outstanding lawyers on their appointment. They all bring immense skill, dedication and expertise to Lavan and make an enormous contribution to our firm. These promotions and appointments are testament to Lavan’s commitment to providing our clients with expert legal advice and a full-service offering. I am delighted to see Lavan continue to excel as a leading, independent, Western Australian law firm.”
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