Media release | Gadens announces six partner promotions effective 1 July 2025

National law firm Gadens is pleased to announce six partner promotions, effective 1 July 2025.

These appointments reflect Gadens’ ongoing commitment to growth – adding to the 4 lateral partners who have joined Gadens in the past year, and the 3 lateral partners joining in early FY26 – and recognising exceptional talent and deepening the expertise within its national partnership. Their promotions help reinforce Gadens’ commitment to delivering excellence in client experience and innovative, solutions-focused services. As of 1 July, the firm will have 111 partners, 39% percent of whom are women.

Commenting on the promotions, Mark Pistilli, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner, said:

“Gadens is on an incredible journey. In the last year, we made the intentional, strategic decision to merge our network of firms and to enter markets like the ACT where Gadens has not been before. Gadens is now one of the Country’s largest full service firms and can meet all of the needs of our clients – both in terms of geographical coverage and depth of service.”

“Gadens has a clear strategy designed to achieve our vision of being widely regarding as a leading independent Australian law firm. Our people are central to this strategy, and we have a clear focus on recognising their performance and contributions in support of the firm and of our clients. This cohort of market leading lawyers who we are welcoming to the Gadens partnership are fantastic operators, and I have every confidence that they will continue to make a meaningful impact.”

The newly promoted partners are:

Isabella Barnes specialises in corporate and institutional finance. She works closely with financiers, borrowers, and other project sponsors across a variety of lending transactions. Isabella’s expertise spans property (investment and construction), acquisition, and corporate finance, including complex structuring, due diligence, and litigious banking matters involving corporate insolvency and distressed assets.

Jasmina Bradonjic brings 25 years’ experience in commercial litigation, focusing on contractual disputes, and insolvency, with a particular expertise in complex retail, commercial, and industrial lease disputes. She has advised major shopping centre owners and managers nationwide.

Mitchell Byram is a respected litigator with extensive experience in complex commercial disputes across all Australian jurisdictions, including in the High Court, Federal Court and Supreme Court of Queensland. He is known for providing strategic and commercially practical advice to a diverse client base, achieving positive outcomes through the court process and out of court as well.

Natalie McCabe has extensive experience in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, focusing on contractual disputes, shareholder and director conflicts, Corporations Law matters, consumer law, and real property disputes. She regularly represents private clients, listed companies, corporate and financial institutions in complex claims before Victorian and Commonwealth courts and tribunals.

Diana Diaz is an employment and industrial relations lawyer with extensive experience advising corporate clients navigating workplace challenges. She advises on a broad range of matters managing workplace change and restructuring, terminations, cross-border arrangements, compliance, investigations and business protection disputes.

Michael Mercier is recognised across the Country for his expertise in retail tenancy law. He specialises in providing complex and strategic advice to landlords and tenants across retail, commercial, and industrial sectors. Michael is a lead adviser to the owners of many of Australia’s largest property portfolios.

Mark Pistilli adds: “Isabella, Jasmina, Mitchell, Natalie, Diana and Michael should be proud of this achievement. We congratulate them on this well-deserved milestone and look forward to their continued contributions. Congratulations also to all our other people who have been promoted in 2025.”

Including promotions made on 1 January 2025, this year the firm has made up 6 new partners, 2 special counsel, 20 senior associates and 8 people across our business services teams.