Australian domestic law firm Mills Oakley has hired five new partners spread across its corporate, tax, environment, and projects practices.

In Melbourne, projects specialist Zac Kerr joins the firm from Herbert Smith Freehills, while environment expert David Passarella arrives from Gadens, and property lawyer John Turnbull comes from Macpherson Kelley.

In Sydney, Katherine Ruschen—a former Yeldham Price O’Brien Lusk director—joins as an insurance litigation specialist, while David Marschke—formerly special counsel at KPMG—now heads Mills Oakley’s private advisory practice in Brisbane.

With 19th century roots in Melbourne, Mills Oakley is a rapidly growing Australian independent that has over 75 partners and 500 staff across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth.