Media release | Gadens appoints eight partners as national growth accelerates

National law firm Gadens has welcomed eight new partners – Alex Biddulph (Perth), Brett Sangster (Brisbane), David Fleming (Sydney), Kiri Jervis (Sydney), Megan King (Melbourne), Rebecca Mercer (Sydney), Shaun McNaught (Perth) and Shelley Gepp (Perth) – strengthening capability across key geographies, and key practice areas including banking, competition and merger clearance, defence,  workplace health and safety, real estate, restructuring and insolvency, and sustainability and social impact.

The appointments align with Gadens’ strategic priorities to lead in chosen markets and sectors, build strong client relationships, invest in high-quality talent and deliver consistent, premium service nationally. The firm has re-established a presence in Western Australia, with an office in Palace Tower in Perth’s CBD opening in December 2025, meaning Gadens operates in all State and Territory capitals in which you would expect to find a leading national Australian law firm.

Mark Pistilli, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner at Gadens, said the appointments reflected the firm’s continued growth agenda and focus on building capability where clients need it most.

“Gadens is growing with purpose, we are now a firm of 117 partners nationally. These appointments deepen our expertise in priority areas and strengthen our ability to support clients on complex, high-stakes matters in sectors that are critical to Australia’s economy in the near to medium term,” Mr Pistilli said. “Our strategy is clear: lead in our chosen markets and sectors, back our people to thrive and build a premium national brand. Our new partners each bring leadership, specialist depth and a strong alignment to how we work – clear, collegiate and client focused and in important areas.”

Alex Biddulph – Partner, Banking and Finance, Perth

Alex is a banking and finance specialist with extensive experience advising on institutional and commercial lending, with a strong focus on corporate and property finance. He advises major Australian banks, international financiers and private credit providers, and is a trusted advisor on sophisticated lending and transactional matters.

Alex notes:

“Western Australia continues to see strong demand for sophisticated financing solutions across property, infrastructure and private capital. Gadens’ national banking and finance platform allows us to support lenders and borrowers with depth, agility and a strong understanding of local market dynamics.”

Brett Sangster – Partner, Corporate, Brisbane

Brett leads Gadens’ Defence sector, advising government and defence-aligned organisations on complex regulatory, commercial and procurement matters across the 5-Eyes community. He brings more than 25 years’ experience in legal practice, defence operations and executive leadership. Brett’s defence foundations were built during 15 years as an Army Officer, serving as a qualified leader in the Special Operations Command and later as an operational Legal Officer. Prior to joining Gadens Brett served as the Managing Director of Downer Defence.

Brett says of joining:

“Gadens has significant capability in the defence and national security sector. This experience allows the firm to operate confidently at the intersection of strategy, regulation and delivery. I’m looking forward to growing that platform alongside clients operating in critical and highly regulated environments.”

David Fleming – Partner, Corporate, Sydney

David is a competition and consumer law specialist working with clients to identify, manage and mitigate complex competition and regulatory risk across transactions and ongoing operations. David brings deep expertise at a time of increasing regulatory scrutiny and the introduction of Australia’s compulsory merger clearance regime. He acts for major corporates, multinational groups and government entities on all aspects of competition and consumer law and ACCC engagement.

David comments:

“Competition regulation in Australia is moving into a more interventionist phase, particularly with the introduction of the ACCC’s new mandatory merger notification regime. Clients need advisers who understand the law, the regulator and the commercial realities of getting major transactions across the line. Gadens is investing in this capability at exactly the right time, and I’m excited to be part of that growth.”

Kiri Jervis – Partner, Workplace Advisory and Disputes, Sydney

Kiri is a trusted advisor with more than 20 years of experience in workplace relations, specialising in workplace health and safety. She advises boards and senior executives on safety governance, regulatory risk and psychosocial risk management, and has deep experience responding to workplace incidents and prosecutions across multiple Australian jurisdictions.

Kiri adds:

“I’m excited to join Gadens at a time of clear momentum. Clients are navigating fast-evolving workplace safety and psychosocial obligations, and they need advice that cuts through complexity and helps leaders act with confidence. Gadens has the depth, the national platform and the mindset to deliver that.”

Megan King – Partner, Sustainability and Social Impact, Melbourne

Megan King heads the Gadens pro bono practice, a key pillar of the firm’s approach to social impact. A senior lawyer with more than 15 years’ experience across private practice, community legal services and the justice sector, she designs and leads large‑scale pro bono programs and partnerships focused on access to justice and systemic change.

Megan shares on her appointment:

“To me, pro bono isn’t just about increasing the number of hours we contribute. It’s about finding smarter ways to tackle the access to justice crisis by harnessing technology, trying out new ideas, and building creative partnerships. I’m proud to join Gadens to strengthen our pro bono practice and partnerships to ensure that the support we provide makes a meaningful and lasting difference.”

Rebecca Mercer – Partner, Real Estate and Construction, Sydney

Rebecca is known for guiding clients through complex, high‑value property transactions that span capital transactions, large-scale developments, land subdivisions, complex titling matters and property disputes. She advises institutional and private investors, developers, government agencies and national retailers.

Rebecca says on joining Gadens:

“Gadens combines strong national capability with a genuinely practical approach. I’m looking forward to working with clients on major property projects and transactions, bringing clear advice, commercial judgement and a focus on outcomes.”

Shaun McNaught – Partner, Real Estate and Construction, Perth

Shaun advises on property, infrastructure and land access matters. Shaun advises government agencies, utilities, developers and institutional investors, and is particularly recognised for his work on infrastructure and renewable energy projects, including statutory land access frameworks, Crown land tenure and compulsory acquisition regimes.

Shaun comments:

“Major infrastructure and energy projects require advisers who understand both the legal frameworks and the realities of delivery on the ground. Gadens’ national real estate and construction capability gives clients the confidence to progress complex projects efficiently and with certainty.”

Shelley Gepp – Partner, Banking and Finance, Perth

Shelley is a restructuring and insolvency specialist with more than 20 years’ experience advising on distressed and default scenarios arising from complex funding arrangements, including enforcement and workout situations. She acts for external administrators, major financial institutions, company directors, debtors and creditors across a broad range of industries, including construction, mining and agriculture.

Shelley notes on her move to the firm:

“When businesses enter distress, the focus quickly shifts from structuring deals to protecting value and managing risk. Gadens’ restructuring and insolvency capability allows us to support clients through defaults, enforcement and external administrations with clear advice and a strong understanding of the commercial realities they are facing.”