International law firm Bird & Bird appoints disputes expert Bill Smith and restructuring specialist Masi Zaki as partners in Sydney. Bill joined the firm on 10 October, and Masi on 1 October.
The arrival of Bill and Masi is a key part of Bird & Bird’s strategic growth strategy in Sydney as the office celebrates its 10-year anniversary. Over the past two years the Bird & Bird team in Sydney has expanded significantly, with two partner promotions in the IP practice, and the appointment of three new partners in Corporate M&A, Finance & Financial Regulation and Sports respectively.
Bill Smith
Bill joins the firm from Ashurst and is a leading disputes practitioner advising and representing businesses engaged in complex disputes, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He has extensive international experience, with an arbitration focus, gained through working across a range of diverse jurisdictions while practising abroad for more than half of his career. In addition to these core areas of expertise, Bill is very active in the cybercrime space, and has advised clients on commercial and regulatory issues arising out of some of the most prominent cyber-attacks in Australia.
In his new role at Bird & Bird, Bill will be working closely with the team on the ground in the UAE, drawing upon his substantial experience gained while in the UAE to support the firm’s Middle Eastern clients in the resolution of their cross-border disputes.
Masi Zaki
Masi is a restructuring specialist advising a wide range of clients in the financial services, energy and retail sectors on domestic or cross-border distressed, contentious, or non-distressed transactions, restructures, and disputes. He joins from Squire Patton Boggs, alongside senior associate Kate Spratt.
Masi's practice also extends beyond Australia into established and emerging markets across the Asia-Pacific region, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Delhi.
At Bird & Bird, Masi will be leading on the growth and development of Bird & Bird Sydney’s new restructuring practice.
Shane Barber, Head of Bird & Bird in Australia, comments: “I’m very pleased to welcome two exceptional practitioners to our disputes and finance teams, at a time of strategic growth in the firm’s Sydney office. Bill brings with him valuable international disputes expertise, which will be a cornerstone in supporting clients both in Australia and the Middle East, and Masi will be a key player in developing our restructuring practice with support from Kate. Together, their arrival is a key part of our strategic growth ambitions as the office celebrates its decade milestone. We continue to expand our client offering across a range of practices and sectors in Australia, driven by significant demand.”
Bill says: “I’m excited to be joining the team at Bird & Bird. The firm’s commitment to strategically growing and investing in its disputes practice, particularly in the key sectors and markets that align with my experience, makes this a very exciting time to join. I very much look forward to working closely with colleagues in the Middle East, as well as the impressive group of experts the firm has assembled across its international network, to help clients achieve their best outcomes when faced with the commercial uncertainty that disputes invariably attract.”
Masi adds: “Bird & Bird’s commitment to fostering a collaborative culture at the heart of its business, as well as its sector-focused approach and ambitious growth strategy, create a rich environment for developing a top-tier restructuring practice. I look forward to working closely with the firm’s international network of leading lawyers, continuing to support our clients with innovative solutions.”
